It's essential to adopt the correct sitting position to maintain good posture and a healthy back and spine. By following a few simple guidelines, most people can improve their sitting posture.
Sitting with a straight back and shoulders can boost the physical health of a person, and also help them feel more comfortable.
Many people spend a lot of hours sitting down as they tend to sit down while traveling, working or studying in an office, and relaxing at home. Prolonged sitting can cause adverse effects on health, including poor posture and back health.
We'll look into what good posture means, and explain the correct sitting position to achieve it, especially when sitting behind a computer or in front of the TV.
What's Good Posture?
Good posture means the significant parts of a person's body are aligned correctly and supported by the correct amount of muscle tension.
Correct posture is vital for:
- Decreasing body pressure when driving and exercising
- Wear and tear on joints, muscles, as well as ligaments reduced
- Maintaining balance while exercising and moving
- Reducing the risk of muscle stress and overuse
- Improving spinal health
Bad posture should be avoided as it can lead to debilitating muscle pain and nerve constriction.
The Best Sitting Posture
The best sitting position depends on the person's height, the chair they use, and the behavior they do while sitting.
An individual can improve his or her posture and achieve a correct sitting position by:
- Keeping feet flat or lying on the floor or a footrest.
- Not crossing knees or ankles.
- Leaving a slight distance between the knees and the chair
- Making knees positioned at the same height or slightly lower than the hips.
- Placing ankles before knees.
- Keeping the shoulders relaxed.
- Keeping the knees and forearms parallel to the floor when possible.
- Keeping elbows on the sides to create an L-shape in your arms.
- Sitting straight up and looking ahead, without straining your neck.
- Keeping the back against the chair, or using a backrest or cushion when there are places where the back doesn't meet the chair comfortably, especially in the lower back region.
- Not sitting for too long. Ideally, take at least a 10-minute break each sitting hour.
Another way to ensure your good posture is maintained is by investing in one of these ergonomic gaming chairs.
Tips on How to Sit at a Computer or In Front of the TV
People who have to sit at a desk for long periods because of their job or schooling need to take special care to ensure they maintain a balanced back posture.
Try to do a mental check every 10 to 15 minutes once in the correct position to see if the posture has changed, and then correct any changes.
With time, awareness, and commitment, a person with a poor posture can correct it. For certain people, it can take weeks to months to see substantial results from working on their posture. When a person has improved their posture, they will need to maintain it, so they may often have to remember to recognize and correct unhealthy positions.
Final Thoughts
Good posture can transform your life! Start thinking about how you can maintain great posture all day long, whether you're sitting at a desk, playing your favorite video game, or simply going for a walk in the park.
