Know How Slouching Can Make You Fall Sick

Our daily desk job requires us to sit anywhere for one-third of our day or even longer in front of desktops. Notably, the increasing incidence of postural issues (C-shape spine resulting in postural pains) is a painful consequence of our sedentary lifestyle.

Well, there can be many causes behind postural issues that include daily stressors, poor lifestyle choices, lack of vitamin D, etc. However, surveys reveal that sitting in bad posture is the dominant cause behind increasing #posturalpains like:

-stiff neck,
-frozen shoulder,
-upper / lower back pain, and
-loss of strength in leg muscles.

Furthermore, when we sit down in a #poorposture, it negatively compresses:

1). Our arteries (constricts circulatory system)
2). Our lungs (obstructs the respiratory system, causes chest breathing instead of diaphragm breathing)
3). Our intestines (slows down digestive system & metabolism | causes constipation, indigestion, acid reflux, etc.)
4). Our spine (causes inflammation in the spine, thus, back pain)
5). Our pelvic floor (stagnates blood in the urinary & lymphatic system), &
6). Reduces the flow of blood to our brain (brain fog)

Incidentally, along with making time for walks, taking short breaks while working, & relieving muscle tension by stretching exercises, it is all the more important to sit in a correct posture while you're working.

Here's what qualifies as a correct sitting posture, #ergonomics:

#FEET: Your feet should be well-rested on the floor.

-If need be, don't hesitate to invest in a stool to prevent loss of strength in your legs.

#KNEES: Your knees should be somewhat level with your hips.

-That's why you need to invest in a stool if your feet don't reach the floor.

#HIPS: Push your hips to the back as far as possible.

-It'll help you alleviate pain in sit bones & help with tight hips-related problems.

#BACK: Keep your back reasonably straight. Check the following:

-Your spine is elongated. No slouching, no hunching.
-Your lower back is feeling stable.
-Your upper back is well supported.

#SHOULDER: Check your shoulders are:

-Rolled back (chest open),
-Relaxed and comfortable.

Place your keyboard closer, so that you don't have to lean forward to type. Don't burden your shoulders with the weight of your body. It results in stiff/frozen shoulders when you sit for long hours like that.

#CHIN: Your chin should be parallel to the floor. The height of the monitor should be level with your eyes.

Digging your chin down causes issues like:

-stiff neck,
-neck pain, and
-neck hump, etc.

Initially, it might seem a lot of effort but with time & practice, it'll become a new habit, your second nature. Sitting in a correct posture is no less than learning a new skill, so it takes a bit of time & practice.