Khaberni - Poor body posture does not relate only to external appearance, but it may also indicate an imbalance in body balance and functions; over time, this can lead to daily pain, stiffness, and a continuous feeling of discomfort.
The good news is that correcting the wrong habits that affect body posture often helps automatically improve the overall condition. However, the surprise lies in that some of our most common daily habits quietly work against spinal health. In this context, health experts clarify these behaviors and how they can be easily corrected according to the American magazine «Real Simple».
One of the notable habits is tilting the head forward when looking at the screens of smartphones or laptops. Dr. Sherry McAllister, an American chiropractic doctor, clarifies that this posture is among the most common causes of poor body alignment. She points out that moving the head away from its natural alignment above the shoulders increases the pressure on the spine, which explains why many complain of lower neck and shoulder pain. With the continuation of this habit, the natural curvature of the neck may change, placing additional weight on the shoulders and upper back. To avoid this, it is advised to raise the screens to eye level to reduce neck strain.
Sitting for long periods is equally harmful, being a common bad habit in modern lifestyle. According to McAllister, prolonged sitting leads to fatigue of the muscles responsible for maintaining proper posture, causing relaxation and bending and disturbing the natural curvatures of the spine. She also notes that the quality of seats can be a contributing factor, stressing the importance of choosing chairs that provide good back support, especially in workplaces. Experts recommend using chairs with firm cushions, appropriate lower back support, and a height that allows placing the feet comfortably on the ground.
Sleeping position may be another hidden factor in the deterioration of body posture during the day. Sleeping on the stomach forces the neck to twist in one direction, which can lead to muscle strain.
American yoga instructor Millie Perdon suggests that fully controlling sleeping posture is not easy, explaining that one may start the night in an ideal position but wake up in a completely different one.
However, she emphasizes that improving movement patterns during the day helps the body relax at night, which positively reflects on posture and sleep quality together.
McAllister also warns against using unsuitable pillows or old mattresses that have lost their balance, as this can cause sagging areas leading to muscle strain, sleep disturbance, and stress on spinal curvatures.
She advises sleeping on the back with a small pillow under the knees to support the natural curvature, or sleeping on the side with a pillow between the knees and another to hug, as this helps enhance the comfort of the spine and achieve deeper sleep.
The impact of wrong posture is not limited to sitting or sleeping only, but also extends to exercising; despite the importance of physical activity for overall health, performing exercises incorrectly can lead to adverse results.
Perdon recommends warming up well before exercising through light and dynamic movements, such as rotating the shoulders, opening the chest, and gently moving the neck, which helps improve performance and maintain correct posture.
McAllister also confirms that shoes play a direct role in affecting body posture; for example, wearing high heels pushes the pelvis forward, disturbing body balance and forcing other muscles to compensate.
