A Bodyful of Benefits

The Many Rewards of Good Posture and How to Get It

The positive effects of good posture are more than skin deep. Research suggests that how you sit and stand affects your long-term health and well-being. “Good joint alignment in your spine also helps the tissues surrounding it,” says Christopher Melkovitz, a physical therapist at Froedtert and the Medical College of Wisconsin. Here are just some ways your posture impacts your health.

LUNGS

It’s harder to take a deep breath when you’re hunched over because compressed lungs have lower capacity. Poor posture can also weaken your diaphragm, impairing your respiratory function and potentially causing problems with breathing patterns.

DIGESTIVE TRACT

If you’re sitting hunched over on the toilet, it’ll be harder for your abdominal muscles to move your bowels, so you may experience constipation. Slouching, which adds pressure to the abdomen, can also trigger acid reflux and heartburn.

BLADDER

A slumped body puts pressure on your bladder, which increases the risk of stress incontinence, or leaking when you laugh, cough or sneeze.

BRAIN

If bad posture compromises your oxygen and circulation, you might experience brain fog or difficulties with focus and memory. Research suggests poor posture can also impact learning.

MUSCLES AND JOINTS

Poor posture can result in a plethora of muscle and joint problems, which can affect your everyday mobility or cause pain (think tension headaches and chronic back pain). Your joints and muscles also have to work harder if your posture is poor, which could result in fatigue.

CIRCULATION

Slouching can compress your organs and inhibit the circulation of blood throughout your body, even compromising your organ function.