Straighten up: Three ways to improve posture

Growing up, one must have heard parents commanding them to sit up straight. Despite constant reminders, a person might easily go back to their slouched position, causing their backs to get used to this more than the correct posture. Massage therapist Caroline Sturken shares some ways on how to improve posture:

Hold head straight and tuck the chin

Experts suggest standing or sitting as if there's a string pulling the head. This means keeping the head straight and tucking the chin. Some people misunderstand this position by sticking out their chin. However, the right way is to "pull" the head in a comfortable position that is not as high as some people do. When doing this, one must feel balanced.

Sit properly

Caroline Sturken says that sitting properly protects the spine's natural form. For those who end up slouching on their desks, it might help to sit back on the chair and place a thin cushion or a rolled towel to keep the back straight. The feet should be planted flat on the floor, and the knees shouldn't feel strained.

Squeeze the shoulders

When a person's posture isn't correct, it might cause tension on the shoulders. Caroline Sturken says that one way to improve posture is to stand and put arms on the side. Then, squeeze the shoulder blades without overextending them. Doing this 10 times will help release the tension from the shoulders and chest. It will also train the upper body to adapt to the right posture.