Slouchy may be a current fashion trend, but it’s not a good look for your posture. Standing or sitting in the right position affects more than your looks – it can impact your body and smile.
Posture affects jaw alignment.
Poor posture can put harmful pressure on your jaw. When we slouch our bodies, the lower jaw is pushed forward. Over time, this causes our skull to sit back on our spinal column, which can cause our bite to be misaligned. If teeth aren’t aligned, our jaw will compensate by bringing them together. This movement can put painful pressure on jaw joints and surrounding muscles. Eventually, this movement can cause damage to our teeth.
Proper posture makes for a healthy back.
Good posture keeps all of your body parts supported and balanced. When your body slumps, your spine does too. This can cause your vertebrae to deteriorate over time. By practicing proper posture, you’re preventing muscle aches and back pain – all while keeping your spine in-check.
Good posture = increased confidence = bigger smile.
Not only do you look more confident when you stand up straight, you feel more confident. A recent study found that when you stand in a posture of confidence, your hormones respond accordingly. Good posture can also generate positive thoughts and increased energy levels. And finally, one last bonus: proper posture can make you look 10 pounds slimmer!
Think of yourself as pasta and cook yourself backwards. Go from limp noodle to uncooked noodle with these quick posture tips:
- If standing, your ears, shoulders, hips knees and ankles should all line up. Double-check your stance by using a mirror.
- If sitting, your hips should line up with your ears. If you’re looking at a computer, your eyes should be level with the center of the screen.
- If you need a quick posture fix, pull your shoulder blades back and down.
- Keep your stomach muscles tight. An engaged core makes for a straighter body.
Repeat these movements regularly and soon you’ll break your bad posture habits. After all, practice makes perfect (posture).
