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Posture In The Workplace
Category: Management and HR | 17 January, 2013 11:58
“By the age of 35, many of you will be immersed in your career and the activity of your youth a distant memory. You look in the mirror and don't like what you see – someone overweight, sagging, forward head, round shoulders, stomach protruding ... What happened to you?” (Paula Moore, author of The Posture Doctor)
Tip 1: Reduce brain fog
If you think about oxygen as food for your brain, it is not hard to understand the concept of brain fog. Good posture allows for full lung expansion and diaphragm movement, which improves breathing. When you slouch, you reduce your vital lung capacity by up to 30%! Good posture increases your oxygen levels that heighten your concentration, alertness and energy levels and ultimately reduce brain fog at work.
- Open windows at work
- Drink more water (water contains oxygen)
- Get some office plants to reduce indoor air pollution
Tip 2: Hitting the gym may not be enough
- We have been told that those with sedentary lifestyles and jobs can offset the harm of inactivity by simply eating well and hitting the gym a few times a week. Unfortunately, the inactivity of constant sitting has our muscles go dead, our calorie burning plunge and increases our risk of Type 2 diabetes. The good news is that you can counteract the risks of sitting all day with constant small movements.
- Roll your shoulders backwards to open up your chest
- Tuck your chin in to avoid forward head posture
- Clench and relax your buttocks
- Turn your ankles
Tip 3: Improve your posture confidence
Your health and body posture speak volumes about you. How you hold your body is often a reflection of how you feel about yourself. What does your posture say about you? What do other people in the office think your posture says about you? Here are five top ways for you to speak confidence through posture.
- Uncross your arms - crossed arms look cold and defensive
- Stand tall – imagine there is a huge balloon attached to your breast bone lifting your chest
- Stop the limp wrist – shake with a firm but not powerful handshake
- Don't shuffle – stride confidently
- Slow down – take note of your breathing
Posture is the key to maintaining a youthful body and regaining good posture should be the goal of anyone who wants to slow the effects of ageing. Practise breathing and when sitting - fidget, stir and wiggle until you ooze posture confidence and as a result, feel and look a good deal younger!
Paula is a self-confessed posture addict. She is the creator of a popular video blog on posture which has received over one million youtube views. Her latest book, The Posture Doctor has just been released.
Website www.posturevideos.com
Twitter (@thatpaulamoore)
Facebook (posturedoctor)