How To Counteract Hunched-Over Posture Due To Sedentary Lifestyle

To maintain our familiar and comfortable light and climate patterns (not to mention, seasons) the axis of the Earth tilts at between 22 – 24 degrees angle. This is the norm that supports life. Any significant change in the angle of Earth’s axis could cause catastrophic changes.

Just like the Earth has an optimal axis tilt so does the human body. (Actually, the human body has several axes, but for the sake of this post I’m focusing on just one of them.)

My focus is on the longitudinal axis which is the imaginary line that runs vertically through the head down to the space between the feet.

As I learned the hard way, tinkering with the “axis” of your body is not a good idea, either.

Like many of you, I too spend way too much time sitting and forcing the upper part of the longitudinal axis forward, in my case: toward my PC’s monitor. My work-related problems have begun with devastating headaches and no, they didn’t stop there.

A sedentary lifestyle comes with a much higher “price tag” than any of us would imagine. Spinal compressions notwithstanding there is a whole cascade of health problems to look forward to.

Overstretched back muscles and shrunk front muscles. Sunken chest. Difficulty breathing. Distended stomach. IBS. Cardiovascular problems. Poor circulation. And as the cherry on top of all these: a pelvic organ prolapse… I’m not kidding.

Many of us spend a lot of time sitting. This puts us at risk of developing a whole spectrum of health problems. Don’t wait. Take breaks. Counteract the “broken neck” and impending hunchback!

Here are a few tips to get you started.

1/ Stand straight, lift left – bent – leg backward. Grab it by the ankle with the left hand. Pull the leg up with the intent to bring your foot and head closer together. Repeat several times. Repeat with the right leg and right hand.

2/ Once you get comfortable performing the stretch, do the very same thing with one difference: switch hands! Grab the left ankle with the right hand and then, grab the right ankle with the left hand.

3/ This is a very simple and easy stretch, you can do in bed. Lie flat on your stomach. Bend your knees and lift your calves. Grab each ankle with the matching side hand. Using your hands, lift both ankles simultaneously. Try to bring your feet and head closer together. Hold. Repeat several times. (After doing this stretch for the first time, I felt instantly taller. The stretch is simple, but it does wonders for the “hunchback”!)

Any health problem is easier prevented than treated. Take good care of your longitudinal axis, before the cascade of problems a bent longitudinal axis can cause hits you.

Not a strong enough argument? Here is one more: the hunched-over posture conveys an image of aging, tiredness and resignation. You are a winner. Hello: winners don’t walk around hunched over.