Stop Fighting Your Posture and Start Understanding It THE SURPRISING LINK BETWEEN YOUR BRAIN AND STANDING UP STRAIGHT
begins to accept that position as your “new normal.” That’s why so many people say they feel like they’re constantly fighting their posture. It’s your body compensating based on what it’s learned over time. If those neural patterns aren’t addressed, the problem tends to stick around. SITTING SHAPES YOUR BODY (AND NOT IN A GOOD WAY) Whether you’re working remotely or commuting to a desk job, sitting for long stretches puts your body in a position it simply wasn’t designed to hold all day. Your hip flexors stay in a shortened, tight position. Your thoracic spine (mid-back) rounds forward, which can leave your upper back muscles feeling stretched, weak, and fatigued. Meanwhile, your feet often rest in a slightly pointed position, shortening your calves and Achilles over time. And then there are your glutes, one of the most powerful muscle groups in your
body. When you sit, they’re essentially compressed, like a sponge being pressed down. Over time, that reduces blood flow and limits their ability to “turn on” when you need them. So when you finally stand up and go for a walk or workout, those muscles aren’t ready to do their job efficiently. SMALL CHANGES, BIG DIFFERENCE You don’t need a complete lifestyle overhaul to start improving your posture. Movement is your best tool. Even small breaks throughout the day can make a big impact. Stand up, stretch, reach overhead, or take a quick walk. If you have a smartwatch that reminds you to move, listen to it. These little resets help your body break out of those prolonged positions and retrain your system over time. If you feel like you’ve been “fighting” your posture for a while, a physical therapy assessment can help uncover what your body really needs to move and feel better.
July is National Posture Month, and if you’ve ever caught yourself thinking, “Why can’t I just sit or stand up straight?” you’re not alone. One of the biggest misconceptions we see in the clinic is that posture is only about muscle strength or willpower. In reality, posture has a strong connection to your nervous system, and that piece often gets overlooked. When you spend hours at a computer or looking down at your phone, your body starts to adapt. Muscles can shorten, joints can stiffen, and your nervous system
BLT Chopped Salad
HAVE A LAUGH
Ingredients
Salad • 8 slices thick-cut bacon (about 9 oz) • 1/2 cup julienned sun-dried tomatoes (not packed in oil) • Hot water • 8 cups chopped kale, stems removed • 1/4 tsp kosher salt • 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved • 1 1/2 cup sweet corn • 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese • 1/4 cup finely chopped green or red onion Dressing • 1/4 cup fresh lime juice • 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil • 3/4 tsp smoked paprika • 1/4 tsp kosher salt
Directions
1. Bake bacon at 400 F until crisp, then pat dry, cool, and chop. 2. Submerge sun-dried tomatoes in very hot water for a few minutes, then drain and pat dry. 3. Place kale in a large bowl, sprinkle with salt, and massage until darker and tender (about 2 minutes). 4. Add sun-dried tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, corn, bacon, feta, and onion. 5. Combine all dressing ingredients, mix well, then drizzle over salad and toss. 6. Chill 15 minutes if desired, or serve right away.
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