Benefits of Good Posture

When you were growing up, how many times did your parents and teachers tell you to stand up straight, or remind you not to slouch? Turns out they weren’t just being overly picky about how you were standing; good posture has a lot of surprising health benefits that come with it. For example:

It makes you look good. People with good posture are perceived by others as smarter, more attractive and more powerful than those with slouched frames. Not only that, but good posture makes you appear happier too. When you see someone walking along with their shoulders slumped, don’t you naturally assume they’re down in the dumps? Then again, a person striding along confidently with a nice straight back gives off an aura of happiness and self-worth. Additionally, maintaining good posture naturally makes you appear taller, which can change the whole appearance of your body.

It makes you more productive. When we slouch, our bodies take in as much as 30% less oxygen than when we sit up straight. This difference in oxygen intake can make us feel tired and sluggish. Maintaining good posture at your desk at work can banish that sleepy feeling and give you more energy simply by allowing more oxygen in. That little energy boost can really do wonders for your productivity!

It helps with weight loss. Did you know that standing and sitting upright can help you burn up to 350 calories a day more than you would if you slouched? It’s true- by carrying your frame in a better, more efficient way, you’re taking tension off of your whole body, aiding in digestion, allowing you to breathe better, and generally causing your body to function more effectively.

It increases your brain power. Now that achieving good posture has scored you a taller, more powerful-looking frame, increased energy, and maybe helped you shed a few pounds, wouldn’t it be nice if it could make you smarter too? Actually, it can! As we mentioned before, your body can take in more oxygen when your posture is good. More oxygen equals more brain power, which means that you will be thinking more clearly because you are breathing more efficiently.

It can save you from back pain. Since your spine controls so much of what you can do with your body, chronic or acute back pain can really impact your everyday life. Having bad posture can result in back pain, increased risk of a slipped disc, and poor blood circulation, among other things. Becoming accustomed to slouching can take its toll on your back, which in turn can affect the health of your whole body.

Contact Family Chiropractic Care for Your Posture Screening Today

If your goal is to improve your posture, Dr. Still and the rest of the Family Chiropractic Care staff can put you on the right track. Residents in Longview, WA come to Family Chiropractic Care for a variety of chiropractic services, as well as massage therapy and nutritional assessments, to get them feeling like their best possible selves. contact Family Chiropractic today or give us a call at 360-636-2636 to schedule your first visit.