How to Get Rid of a Slouch
Poor posture can depress more than your height. Slouching reads as a lack of confidence, which can cost you in the workplace, as well as in chiropractor bills as it aggravates your back! If your posture could use an uplift, try these procedures:
Open Your “Heart”
If you’re sitting in front of a computer, or behind the wheel of a vehicle, your muscles tend to pull your chest and shoulders forward and inward. Take regular breaks to actively resist this tendency through stretching these muscles out again. Sitting or standing, interlace your fingers behind your back and lift them behind you to open up the chest area. You can lean forward for a deeper stretch. Stand in a doorway and place your hand and forearm against the frame of the door. Take a step forward, stretching the muscles on that side of the chest. Repeat on the other side.
Back Up
Slouching can be the result of weak and inactive back muscles. Lying on your belly, stretch your hands out in front of you and simultaneously lift both your hands and feet, as if you are pretending to be Superman. “Fly” for a few seconds, then rest, then take off again for a few more seconds. Gradually work up to two sets of five, 10-second lifts, and your back will thank you with a more confident and trim carriage!
Play Pinocchio
The power of imagery has been shown to work for everything from business success to achieving Olympic gold. Imagine you have a string attached to the very top of your head, pulling straight up through the ceiling and into the hand of a cosmic puppeteer. When the puppeteer tightens that string, your entire body will pull up and into alignment. Check in with your personal “Gepetto” on a regular basis, whether sitting or standing, and you’ll find your improved posture becoming a habit.
Call For Reinforcements
If all else fails, for a short-term slouch remover, try one of the “posture aids” available today. These are high-tension elastic undergarments designed to pull your shoulders up and back and get rid of your slouch. It’s best to use these only temporarily, though, as constant use can weaken the back muscles further.
Getting rid of a slouch can have unexpected benefits. In addition to improving overall appearance, minimizing the belly pudge, and improving self-confidence, proper posture can even improve your digestion and prevent expensive and miserable back problems later on. So do your back—and your social life—a favor, and attack that slouch!
