Wasn’t it Confucius who said, "Posture makes the man"? Although Shakespeare might disagree (he wrote in Hamlet, "The apparel oft proclaims the man"), how a person stands and holds himself in front of people, and most importantly during his most unguarded moments, broadcasts to others non-verbal messages that reveal his self-confidence, self-esteem, and the way he perceives himself.
Posture is an important factor in human life. It is what separates us from the homo erectus, a type of erect hominid (represented by the Java man and the Peking man) that lived between the Australopithecus and today’s homo sapiens. Posture is the way a person holds his body while standing, sitting or walking; it is a person’s stance, overall deportment and bearing.
To achieve good posture, you use your muscles to keep your skeletal frame erect and operate in harmony with the law of gravity. The spine should be pulled up straight with the body weight properly distributed from the head all the way down to the soles of the feet. The human body is an engineering marvel – when your posture is ideal, the body muscles will be at ease and not carry undue stress.
A bed that’s too soft can cause bad posture. Have a flat, well-cushioned mattress that supports the spine while you sleep. For young children, the use of a firm but comfortable bed will contribute to the process of straightening their bones while still malleable (hammocks are the worst for bad posture!). Chairs and sofas that are conducive to slouching also contribute to back pain and spinal deformity; use ergonomically designed chairs, desks, and tables. While driving, use a backrest to prevent muscular discomfort and spine problems.
Poor eyesight, which induces a student to lean close to his desk, also contributes to poor posture. Provide prescription glasses to students who need them. Tallness can be a disadvantage when the child has to stoop down to do his schoolwork. Provide seating and desks that are appropriate for the student’s size.
Tall people who are self-conscious about their height often slouch to conform to "normal" people’s height. Encourage them to have better posture by pointing out the advantages and attractiveness of being tall. Short people, on the other hand, should take extra effort to improve their posture and take advantage of every centimeter of height that they have.
Inferiority complex and lack of self-confidence also make a person crouch into a withdrawn, defeatist posture. Help people develop faith and confidence in themselves; help them cultivate a confident and outgoing personality by encouraging them to think, feel and act like winners.
Most people don’t realize they have bad posture because they usually see only the front view of themselves when they look in the mirror. Everyone should be encouraged to look at himself in the mirror sideways to notice any spinal deformity. People should be taught to recognize the signs of poor posture such as the sloping of shoulders, the uneven height of shoulders, and the abnormal, unsightly curve of the spine.
Most of the muscular pains people feel are the effects of poor posture. Wrong alignment of the body causes excess tension which can effect a variety of unpleasant symptoms that can turn into permanent physical deformity or disease and hinder your ability to perform activities well. Realize that when you have the right posture, parts of your body, especially the bones, will be properly aligned. In this state, undue muscular tension is minimized.
Your spine supports the central nervous system which rules the vital functions of the entire human body. It is of utmost importance that it is kept straight and supple to be able to function well.
Your breathing is greatly affected by the way you carry your body, and of course you know that your health depends on your air intake. Poor posture results in shallow or clavicular breathing and decreases the lung space where oxygenation occurs. Furthermore, insufficient breath diminishes the quality, volume, resonance, and richness of your voice.
Here are a few more tips to having a better, healthier, and more attractive posture:
• Always have an erect but not stiff posture.
• Support your head with a good pillow (one that’s not too thick and bends the neck) while you sleep.
• Sit out near the edge of a slouch-inducing chair or sofa with feet flat on the floor.
• Be "tallest" by pulling up your spine and holding your chin slightly above the horizon.
• Minimize leaning on to anything; it makes your muscles lazy.
• While standing, shift your weight between each foot to prevent fatigue.
• When picking up something from the floor, bend your knees and pick the object up with a straight torso.
• Do the same when lifting something heavy to prevent back injury.
• Use a spine support brace when doing intensive labor.
• Most of all, use comfortable shoes with rubber heels and inner sole foam lining that absorb the shock caused by walking, running and athletics.
If you want to be a winner, stand erect, and walk tall. A misshapen, slovenly contestant hardly ever wins in a beauty contest. In this image-driven world, how you stand and move determines much of your success. If you want to make a great first impression, stand tall. Good posture makes you project your tallest and best.