Chiropractor Ajax - Posture
Did you know that your posture right now can determine your future success in business, your day-to-day energy levels and how fast you will age? You'll recall that over the course of your life, you've heard many of these reminders:
Your mom clearly states, "Raise your chin and stop slouching!"
A teacher tells you, "Sit up straight in your chair!"
A crossfit instructor commands, "Hold your shoulders back and chest out!"
A yoga instructor reminds you, "Find your center!"
Since as an adult you no longer have someone nearby to bark out regular reminders, how does following - or not following - the instructions we grew up hearing early in life affect us in the coming years?
Success in the Business World
Harvard Business School recently published an article entitled, "The Power of Posture" stating that your stance, generally speaking, signals to the world how energetic, confident, and powerful you are. Slumped shoulders, slower pace, and a sagging belly are viewed by the world to mean that you lack in confidence, that you don't have much energy, and that you are probably less important, successful, and powerful as a result. These impressions may be neither accurate nor fair, but they are the inevitable results of the fleeting impressions. Before your next work meeting, take a few minutes to "power pose" by standing with your feet apart, hands on your hips, and breathe deep while you visualize a successful outcome to the meeting.
Energy and Depression
In the journal Biofeedback, one study found that by simply choosing to alter your body posture to a more upright position can improve energy levels and mood. The participants walked down a hallway in a slouched position and then they would skip down the same hallway.
The entire group reported slouched walking decreased their energy levels while skipping greatly increased energy. The participants were also asked to rate their general depression levels. Those who were generally more depressed noted far lower energy levels after slouched walking than those who were not depressed
Rather than slouching, consciously bringing yourself upright can relieve dis-ease, low mood, and increase energy throughout the day. Try the 50/10 rule if you sit a lot at work. For every 50 minutes you sit, get up and move around for 10 minutes. Walk the halls with a coworker while chatting about your current project, take the stairs outside for a quick breath of fresh air or stand up and stretch while completing your calls at your desk.
Independance and Aging
Posture can also predict your future risk of disability. According to a study out of Japan published in Journals of Gerontology Series A, the shape of a person's spinal column may be an indicator of their need for home assistance later in life.
To check your posture or the posture of a loved one, schedule an appointment for a chiropractic examination today or contact our office in Ajax, Ontario. It's time to get your spine and nervous system checked for spine and nervous system imbalances whether you feel them or not.
The evidence is very clear: If you want to live an long, active, and healthy life, you have to have a healthy spine and nervous system. Put your success, energy and independence at the top of your list by making your posture a high priority.
This blog article is provided by Somerset Family Chiropractic, a Chiropractor in Ajax, Ontario.