A simple stroll through the streets of the CBD or an observance of the next MRT cabin that you are in, and you will quickly realise that there is a theme that is very prevalent. Is it the student glued to their phone or the businessman who is typing away on their laptop? The sad truth is that the state of our posture is the silent epidemic that is sweeping the nation.
Although many people view the state of their posture as being an image or confidence problem, the sad truth is that the state of our bodies is actually a very integral determinant of our future health. The spine is the core of our body, and it is the home of our nervous systems, which control every bodily function, including our heartbeats and the contractions of our muscles.
Therefore, in order to begin the journey to a healthy body, it is essential that we first understand the benefits of correcting our posture, as well as the reasons why we are having such trouble achieving this.
The Modern Singaporean Lifestyle Trap
To understand the benefits of correcting our posture, it is essential that we first understand the reasons why we are having such trouble standing up straight in the first place. The answer to this is multifaceted, but the main reason is our environment. The modern Singaporean lifestyle is a very sedentary one. We spend eight to ten hours a day sitting at our desks, which were not ergonomically designed to benefit our bodies in the first place. We strain our necks to look at our computer screens that are placed too low.
However, this is further complicated by the fact that we are using a lot of mobile technology. “Text neck” is a very real condition that occurs as a result of us constantly looking down at our technology and devices, whether we are reading messages or looking at social media. This unnatural position causes us to place many kilograms of pressure on our neck muscles and spines. This leads to muscle imbalances in the chest and back muscles, causing our shoulders to roll forward and our spines to slouch.
Relief from Chronic Pain
Quitting these bad habits not only makes us healthier overall, but we also get instant and physical benefits. The first and most obvious benefit we will see as we start to adopt and use good posture is a decrease in chronic pain.
As we have already learned, when we use proper posture and spinal alignment, our bones and ligaments work together to hold up our body instead of our muscles. This means we do not have to stress about getting a tension headache and lower back pain as a result of using our muscles to hold up our spines. It also reduces the amount of stress we place on our spinal discs, potentially preventing us from getting spinal problems as we age. A posture corrector in Singapore can help to provide tailored advice for your everyday life.
Breathing Easier and Flowing Better
However, the advantages of good posture do not just end at the muscles and bones. Good posture also ensures that our vital organs are functioning properly. Slouching ensures that our rib cage is compressed. This ensures that our diaphragm is also compressed and hence is unable to descend. This means that we are unable to breathe properly. However, when we have good posture, we are able to expand our chest cavity and hence are able to breathe properly; we are able to increase oxygen levels. This ensures that our blood is flowing well and hence is able to provide oxygen to the brain.
You may be surprised to learn that your posture also determines how much vitality you have. It requires a lot of energy to maintain a poor posture. This is because you are constantly fighting against gravity. However, when you have good posture, you are able to save a lot of energy in vain.
There is a psychological aspect to this as well, based on your attitude. There is a strong connection between your posture and your mood. Standing up straight is normally associated with confidence and strength. On the other hand, slouching is normally associated with stress and low self-esteem. It is therefore likely that when you straighten up, you will feel more confident to take on the challenges of the day.
Taking Steps Towards a Good Posture
Having a good posture is more than just being mindful of when you are slouching. It is more about getting back to a state of natural body alignment. This may require a lot of effort to correct a number of bad habits for some people. It is very important to be mindful of your body usage. However, sometimes the body may need some professional attention to get back to a state of natural body alignment. It is therefore very important to take your posture very seriously as a way of improving your health!
