After a summer of activities and outdoor fun, the coming fall can mean longer hours and more sedentary situations for both adults and kids.
Think about your posture, or how you hold yourself when you’re not moving—like when you’re sitting, standing, or sleeping. Posture is affected by many things: age, occupation, exercise, and daily choices. For instance, kids hauling heavy backpacks to school can suffer damage, and can office workers slouched over a desk for long hours.
Your posture involves your musculoskeletal system. This includes your bones, muscles, joints, and other tissues that connect the parts of your body together. It’s what provides form, support, stability, and movement to your body.
The way you hold yourself can either align or misalign your musculoskeletal system. Throughout life, this system must adapt to everything you do, from infancy to old age. That’s quite a span!
Here are some tips to keep your body in alignment:
- Be mindful of your posture during everyday activities, like watching television, washing dishes, or walking.
- Take frequent breaks for stretching and moving your body in different ways.
- Stay active.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Make sure work surfaces are at a comfortable height for you, whether you’re working in an office, doing a hobby, preparing dinner, or eating a meal.
- Wear comfortable, low-heeled shoes.
And of course, acupuncture and massage can help when things get out of whack!