Wanna give yourself a quick confidence boost?
Stand up straight! According to Dr. Vijay Vad, a sports-medicine specialist in New York, improving your posture puts your body in balance. And when you're at ease with the way you move, you feel more confident.
But good posture does more than just lift your spirits. It can also relieve chronic aches and pains, including migraines, aching wrists and a stiff lower back--So what's the ideal way to stand, sit and so on? Here's the scoop. When standing: Vad says think of a marionette that's been lifted off the shelf - head high, chin tucked in, chest open, shoulders back and knees slightly bent.
At a desk or table: Keep your back firmly pressed against your chair, your knees level with or higher than your hips, and feet flat on the ground. When sitting on a couch: You should keep a small pillow behind your lower back. If you're lying down, don't use the arm of the couch to support your head. It'll strain your neck.
When you're in bed: Sleep on your side with a pillow between your knees, or on your back with one beneath them.
And a final tip for maintaining good posture: When driving, focus on your lower back. You need to adjust the seat's lumbar support so it feels secure. If you don't have lumbar supports, keep a small pillow between your lower back and the seat.
But good posture does more than just lift your spirits. It can also relieve chronic aches and pains, including migraines, aching wrists and a stiff lower back--So what's the ideal way to stand, sit and so on? Here's the scoop. When standing: Vad says think of a marionette that's been lifted off the shelf - head high, chin tucked in, chest open, shoulders back and knees slightly bent.
At a desk or table: Keep your back firmly pressed against your chair, your knees level with or higher than your hips, and feet flat on the ground. When sitting on a couch: You should keep a small pillow behind your lower back. If you're lying down, don't use the arm of the couch to support your head. It'll strain your neck.
When you're in bed: Sleep on your side with a pillow between your knees, or on your back with one beneath them.
And a final tip for maintaining good posture: When driving, focus on your lower back. You need to adjust the seat's lumbar support so it feels secure. If you don't have lumbar supports, keep a small pillow between your lower back and the seat.
