Nowadays, sitting all day, every day is becoming more and more of a reality. We’re sitting for far too long, and far too often - and it’s wreaking havoc on our whole health!
Just think of all the occasions that you’re also likely slouching, hunching, and craning your neck during the day: while driving, at your desk, in front of a computer - all usually done while sitting.
So, is it any wonder that your neck, back, hips & knees (and head!) are left aching and sore by the end of the day? And it’s not just about the position of your neck that’s the issue with sitting, and often staring at a screen for so long - it’s the full-body chain of events that gets kicked off.
Sitting, Poor Posture & Physical Health
Good posture, also known as a neutral spine, means that the muscles surrounding the spine are able to support the body more equally.
By having better posture while sitting and standing, you’ll reduce the incidences of the following health issues, often associated with or as a result of poor posture & prolonged sitting [1][2]:
Poor sleep quality & daytime fatigue
Low back pain
Arthritis
Headaches
Neck & shoulder tension
Pelvic pain
Poor circulation
Sluggish digestion
Poor workout form
As you probably already know, posture is very important to balance, and it allows us to center our weight directly over our feet. When the body is in correct alignment, this offers a good form for workouts, with less incidence of injury and this, in turn, increases athletic and performance gains. Win! [3]
Poor Posture & Mental Health?
Mood in the dumps, slouched posture? Or is it the other way around? Maybe it’s a bit of both!
It has been documented that people with depression often slouch as if their drooping body is a mirror of their mood + mind slump. So what happens if they simply sit up or stand up straighter, head held higher?
Apparently, they may feel more upbeat and less fatigued!
Research indicates that slouching can negatively impact a person’s mental health, and conversely, it was also demonstrated that good posture can build confidence, improve energy, and alleviate depression. [3][4]
What is good sitting posture?
If you must sit, do it better! Here’s how…
When sitting, your feet should be flat on the floor, with weight distributed through both hips.
Your back should be quite straight - but you’ll have natural lumbar, thoracic, and cervical curves obviously
Shoulders should be back but down/relaxed
We also found a great resource for easy exercises to improve your posture, balance, and alignment. These will allow you to reap the health benefits of maintaining a neutral spine, and could even reverse the adverse effects you’ve accumulated from prolonged sitting.
Posture exercise resource HERE.
Be sure to try all 12 of them -- and you’ll want to use our DIY Tension Tamer essential oil blend while you’re crushing those self-care goals!
Recipe
DIY Tension Tamer EO Blend
(for tight neck & shoulder muscles + headache & migraine relief)
Ingredients
Blend the following pure essential oils with a *carrier oil of choice, diluted by ~5% total volume of EO’s:
4 parts Lemon or Peppermint for a different aromatic experience and cooling sensation
2 parts Lavender
2 parts Geranium or Bergamot
2 parts Roman Chamomile
2 parts Frankincense
*Sweet almond works well, but you can also use grapeseed or olive oil that you may already have in your kitchen cupboard!
Uses
Apply to the temples while gently massaging them, being careful not to get peppermint EO, if using, too close to the eyes or other mucous membranes!
Tension Tamer Blend can also be used on the following areas:
Forehead
Back of the neck (at the hairline)
Bottom of your feet
Webbing of your hands or feet
Shoulders and upper back
Behind the ears
Sinus areas
Apply to both wrists
Neck pulse points
Apply every 15-30 minutes as needed for up to 2 hours until symptoms subside.
Better yet, carry it in a roll-on bottle and take it everywhere with you!
Making it EASY for you to feel ALIVE