Most people imagine someone sitting at a desk slumped over when they think of poor posture, but this isn’t the only time that bad posture comes into play. Standing posture is just as important as sitting posture, especially because most of our daily tasks and errands involve being on our feet!
Holding your body correctly while standing will prevent muscle strain, joint pain and injuries while making your movement more efficient and improving your overall appearance. Standing improperly can actually result in lower confidence levels, decreased flexibility, compromised balance and other breathing and digestive issues.
You can improve your overall posture by being mindful of it throughout the day, doing physical activity regularly and keeping your weight at a healthy number.
Here are some specific cues to keep in mind:
- Stand up tall and straight, as if your back is against a wall
- Keep your shoulders relaxed but slightly pulled backwards
- Keep your head in a neutral position – not too far forward, backwards or tilted sideways
- Allow your arms to hang loosely and naturally by your sides
- Do not let your stomach stick out or your pelvis tilt forward, creating an arch in your lower back
- Keep your feet approximately shoulder-width apart
- Avoid pronation (flattening) of the feet – you want to maintain your natural arch
- Hold your weight primarily in the balls of your feet
- Stand with your knees straight, but not fully locked
- If standing for an extended period of time, try shifting your weight between legs, standing on one foot or placing your weight in different areas of your foot
- Avoid prolonged or frequent wearing of high heels or shoes with minimal support