No Slouching as You Read This: May is Correct Posture Month!

Are you guilty of hunching over your computer or smartphone screen, perhaps even as you read this right now? Remember what your mother would say and sit up straight—May is Correct Posture Month!

Correct posture is crucial, as a properly aligned spine protects our joints by placing less stress on them, thereby helping to prevent future problems such as arthritis and back and joint pain. According to the American Chiropractic Association, correct posture can also help to reduce the risk of injury and prevent muscle fatigue.

Are you guilty of poor posture? You likely are if you

• sit on your wallet
• sleep on your stomach
• stand all day, or sit all day
• tilt your head back to see through your glasses
• hunch over laptops, computer screens, and other electronic devices
• lift weights with poor posture
• wear your backpack or a heavy purse over one shoulder
• wear high heels
• are obese
• are pregnant

Thankfully, you can stop your poor posture in its tracks. Check out these five key posture-improving exercises by PJ Wren from our recent article “Improve Your Posture.”