Many of us are sitting much more these days than we used to. In fact, many health experts are even saying that sitting is the new smoking, meaning that those who maintain a sedentary lifestyle have an increased risk of cardiovascular problems and diabetes.

Not only is excessive sitting bad for your heart health, but it can be bad for your posture, which can cause spinal problems and can be rough on your lungs. If you can’t help but sit a lot for work, our AFC Urgent Care Bronx Webster Ave. team encourages you to work on your posture, and we explain why below!

What Does Good Sitting Posture Look Like?

Good posture is also known as a neutral spine. When you have good posture, the muscles surrounding the spine are balanced and supporting the body equally.

When you’re sitting, good posture and a neutral spine can be achieved when your feet rest flat on the floor with even weight on both hips. Your back should be mostly straight (you’ll have natural curves in your lumbar, thoracic and cervical areas). Your shoulders should be back but relaxed, and your ears should line up over your collarbones.

Negative Effects of Poor Posture

• Spine curvature
• Back pain
• Neck pain and headaches
• Poor sleep
• Disrupted digestion
• Lack of motivation

How Can I Improve My Sitting Posture?

Even when it comes to posture, practice makes perfect! It will take a lot of self-reminding at first, but good posture can be achieved if you are diligent enough to make it a habit.

We’ve listed some tactics to help yourself achieve and maintain good sitting posture below.

Ways to Improve Posture When Sitting

• Switch sitting positions often.
• Make sure that your feet touch the floor or use a footrest.
• Relax your shoulders; they should not be rounded or pulled backward.
• Keep your elbows close to your body. They should be bent between 90 and 120 degrees.
• Make sure that your back is fully supported. Use a back pillow or other back support if your chair does not have a backrest that can support your lower back’s curve.
• Make sure that your thighs and hips are supported. You should have a well-padded seat, and your thighs and hips should be parallel to the floor.

Remember, posture matters! If you have questions about posture, spine health or any other general medical topics, don’t hesitate to reach out to our AFC Urgent Care Bronx Webster Ave. team today.