As a student myself, I know that many students have poor posture from sitting hunched over as they work long hours on homework or use their electronics each day. Improving posture will not only help you look better, but it will also make you feel better as well.

What is a good posture? Well, good posture is having the body aligned and positioned so no one body part is overstressed. Posture affects how a person carries out all of their actions, such as walking and jumping. Good posture conveys confidence and a better image, facilitates breathing, improves circulation and digestion, makes you look slimmer, changes your frame of mind, and also keeps your spine healthy. With good posture, one is able to work with more efficiency and less fatigue on one’s body muscles.  

To improve your posture, there are several simple techniques you can use. One trick is to walk around for at least 30 minutes with your hands clasped together behind your back. Another one is imagining that you have a book balanced on your head or a string attached to the top of your head pulling it up toward the ceiling. Other tricks include focusing on your calves, sitting up straight with a chair designed for proper support so you can align your back to it when you work, and taking standing breaks between work hours to stretch.

Sleeping soundly with correct sleeping posture will also affect your waking posture. Tips for good sleeping positions include placing a flat pillow between your knees to keep your spine aligned if you sleep to the side, using a firmer mattress for better back support, sleeping on your back instead of your stomach for straight shoulders, and using the correct pillow, such as an orthopedic pillow made with memory foam, to support the neck. A similar pillow can also be used when sitting to support your buttocks, pushing you forward in the right position.

Exercise will also help you improve your position significantly. Training your core muscles and doing exercises such as crunches can help you burn fat while achieving a better posture. Yoga can also strengthen your core muscles and help with health and posture issues. Stretching is also essential for good posture, and it is the best treatment for a sore back or neck. Rotating your head in all directions or receiving neck massages can help loosen neck muscles and make you feel more comfortable. Doing a back plank can also help you develop nice, aligned back muscles while stretching your back. This plank could be done by lying down, bending your knees and pointing them toward the ceiling while keeping your feet flat on the ground, and then lifting your back. This is a great, easy, and lazy exercise to do even on the bed.

These are only a few of the many ways out there to improve your posture. Now that you know why posture is so important, I hope you go try some of these techniques out and make yourself feel better!