5 Simple Stretches to Help Improve Posture*
You may be asking yourself: How can I improve my posture?
Our body tends to adapt to the posture we spend the most time in.
With our jobs mostly asking us to work on a computer for 8-10 hrs, and our leisure time tempting us to watch our favorite show for few hours on a laptop, we are almost every day sitting in certain stiff postures for extended periods of time.
We usually ignore the importance of a good posture; However, it is very important to have a good straight posture to avoid neck and back problems in the future.
An excellent straight posture helps us to be flexible and reduces stress on our muscles and ligaments, thus leading to less muscle pain and proper blood circulation throughout the body.
Here is a list of five simple and easy stretches that not only help improve your posture but also aid in blood circulation:
Shoulder Rolls: Stand with your feet flat on the ground. As you inhale, pull your shoulders back as much as you can and then slowly try and bring them towards your ears. Now as you start exhaling, push your shoulder inwards towards your chest and then drop them and relax. Do this daily 5-10 times in order to improve your shoulder posture, to get relief from tight shoulders and also to increase blood circulation in the shoulder region.
Chest Stretch: Stand with your feet hip-width apart. Then as you inhale, spread your arms on either side of you, just below the height of your shoulders. With palms facing forward, push your arms as much as you can until it is directed behind you to release the tension from your spine. Now as you exhale, gradually bring your arms forward. Do this daily 5-10 times, to exercise your spine and make your shoulders and arms flexible.
Cat-cow pose: Bend onto your hands and knees, with your weight concentrated on all four points. Exhale by moving your chest and head upward and your abdomen downward towards the floor. Now as you inhale, move your tailbone under, thus pushing your spine towards the ceiling like an arch and push your head towards your chest.
Child’s pose: Kneel on the floor and spread your knees shoulder-width apart. Your heels touching your hips and your big toes touching each other, lean forward and crawl your hands forward. Your arms stretched forward in front of you, rest your head on the floor. Stay in this position for a minute. It helps to lengthen and stretch your spine and releases tension from the lower back region.
Forward fold: Stand with your big toes slightly touching and heels apart, put your hands on the hips. Then, as you exhale bend from your hips (not waist), draw your belly in and lengthen your torso. Keep your knees straight and try to place your palms on the floor beside your feet or simply touch the back of your ankles with your palms. Let your head hang loose and lengthen your torso a bit on each inhale. Stay in this posture for a minute, and as you come out of this position, put your hands back on your hips and stand straight for a few moments. This pose helps you stretch your spine and hips. It also strengthens your knees and thighs, thus increasing blood circulation in your legs, lower and upper back, neck and head.
For your body to naturally improve your posture, start these simple stretches today so that you won’t have to remind yourself “Sit straight!” at regular intervals.
* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
