Proper posture is essential, not just to look good. More importantly, it helps in developing strength and flexibility as well as maintaining balance in your body. Having good posture also lessens stress on your muscles and supporting structures, thus reducing your risk of injury. You can keep your body in proper alignment through simple exercises and by practicing yoga. There are also useful tips to improve your posture even while you sleep:
Back Sleeping
It may be challenging for some people to sleep on their back at first. But this is by far the best resting position to improve posture. It’s crucial to keep your spine in a neutral place. The best way to accomplish this is by sleeping on your back. Not only will this position keep your spine aligned, but it will also ease tension headaches, alleviate sinus buildup, and prevent wrinkles and creases on your facial skin. For optimal results, you have to get the right mattress to support you lying flat. It’s also highly recommended to invest in a good pillow to support your neck. Similarly, you may put a pillow or rolled towel under your knees. This will help your spine maintain its general curve. Also, sleeping on your back doesn’t mean you’re only supposed to keep your arms by your side or your legs straight the entire time. As a matter of fact, it might be counterintuitive to do as it’s only going to make your muscles stiff. You can distribute your weight throughout your body by comfortably spreading your arms and legs out. This will help keep the pressure from building up on your joints.
Side Sleeping
Although sleeping on your back is your body’s number one option, lying on your side is also an excellent option. Just ensure that you find a neutral position for your spine. You can do this by keeping your torso and legs relatively straight. Depending on your shoulder width, you may only need one pillow to support your head. The goal is to keep them level and not bending toward or away from your pillow. You also must avoid twisting your body as this will cause your spinal discs to suffer from a rotational sprain. Another way to keep your body in a neutral position while side sleeping is by putting a pillow between your knees.
Sleeping Face Down
It’s not easy to control what your body does when you’re fast asleep. But try to avoid sleeping on your stomach as much as possible. This position will only force your neck to extend awkwardly and rotate significantly. Sleeping on your front will put a substantial load on your spine. Most stomach sleepers keep their head on one side and don’t alternate. The asymmetry will just strain the neck, upper back, and low back. To avoid this, sleep on your back or side instead.
Poor posture isn’t necessarily a bad habit, according to Harvard Medical School. There are reasons why your back may not be properly aligned. These include inflexible muscles, which reduce your range of motion. Another cause is weak core muscles, thus affecting your balance in several ways.
Find out more ways to improve your posture, contact Ocean Chiropractic and Health Center in FL at (772) 460-9000, (772) 569-3000, or (772) 249-0779.