Good posture is an important part of long-term health, according to the National Institutes of Health. Slouching and slumping over can make your spine more fragile and prone to injury. Poor posture can also cause neck, shoulder and back pain. Here’s how to achieve perfect posture that would make your mother proud.
Part One
Stand so that your left side is adjacent to a full-length mirror. Imagine there is a straight line that runs down the side of your body from your ears through your shoulders, hips, knees and ankles. Turn your head slightly to see your reflection, or ask a partner to assess you. Now ask:
Where are my ears?They should be directly over your shoulders, not out in front. To bring your ears back: Lift the crown of your head toward the ceiling. Keep your eyes forward, jaw parallel to the floor. Pull your shoulder blades back, as though trying to touch them together.
Where are my hips?
Belly fat and too much sitting cause our hips to tilt forward. Tighten your stomach muscles; push your hips forward so the points of your hip bones are directly below your shoulders.
Where are my ankles?
When your head and belly are out in front and your hips are behind, your ankles will often wind up somewhere in the middle. Your ankle bones should be directly below your hip bones, for proper balance.
To find out about the second important step in assessing and improving your posture, from AARP, CLICK HERE.
