By Cassandra
I can't remember a moment when I didn't have terrible posture. It isn't for lack of trying; from testing out dirt cheap back braces from eBay (BAD idea ๐) to attempting to burn ๐ฅ through all of the latest tricks, I've done it all.
It wasn't until later that I realized that the main reason why none of the doctor-approved hacks worked for me is because I didn't actually understand what was causing my bad posture in the *first place*. For starters, I'm a writer who spends most of my time ๐ leaning over my laptop, which means that I pretty much negated all of my hard work in the span of five minutes ๐ฎ. Sometimes, it's really hard to understand just how much our daily routine ๐ affects our bodies. These are just a few of the ways your innocent ๐ habits hurt your back.
How you sleep ๐ค can have a major impact on your back. If you often find yourself sleeping in a C-shape, you may want to test out a new position. According to Everyday Health , sleeping on your back reduces โฌ๏ธ lower back pain. Just make sure to slip a pillow under your knees first to protect your spine's natural curve!
If your seat ๐บ isn't correctly adjusted, you're automatically putting an unhealthy amount of pressure on your back. When you're in a hurry, it may seem easier to just leave the seat ๐บ as is but the end result isn't worth it.
This is the number one reason why most of us can't sit up straight ๐. We spend so much time ๐ bending our heads when we text ๐ฑthat we don't notice how the negative effect it has on our neck and shoulders. It's impossible to give up texting ๐ฌ completely so do yourself a favor by designating a time ๐ where you won't look at your phone ๐ฑ; it can be as little as 30 minutes to an hour โณ a day.
Speaking of looking down at your phone, the way you sit when you're texting ๐ฌ (or just in general) also plays a huge role in your constant back pain. If you're like me, your back needs some kind of support. Fully lean back against your chair ๐บ while bending your elbows at a 90 degree angle.
I like being prepared for any situation. After all, you never know who you'll meet or when you'll need something to pass the time ๐. Naturally, this means that my "bag of mystery" is always packed with the following: an eyeshadow palette, a makeup ๐ brush, two different lipstick ๐ shades, a reading book ๐ for my morning ๐ commute, a portable charger for my phone ๐, my laptop ๐ป, and a sweater just in case it gets chilly. I've been trying to combat the strain on my neck and shoulders by condensing what I carry in my bag ๐ผ or switching sides from time to time.
The best way to stand up straight - the right way โ๏ธ - is to imagine that an imaginary string is holding you up. Your feet ๐ฃ should be proportionate to your shoulders (which will help keep your core centered) while you're also pulling your shoulders back.
You'd be surprised ๐จ just how much stress and anxiety can mess with your posture ๐. Think about it. When you're upset ๐ about something, it tends to show in the way you carry yourself. Give yourself a necessary break by doing things that relieve stress such as exercising ๐ or even getting a relaxing massage ๐.