Good posture is often associated with the ability to carry ourselves well. This ability gives us the confidence to face other people and interact positively with them. But did you know that maintaining good posture is also suitable for our overall health and wellness? Proper posture promotes proper blood circulation, reduces fatigue, and helps our back and shoulder muscles relax. That is why, as early as now, we should also encourage our kids to practice proper posture.
Kids who sit and stand sloppily don’t yet know what proper posture is. Would helping them practice good posture in an ergonomic floor chair help? Absolutely. But before we go into all that, let us first dig deeper into what experts say about proper posture and how we can help our kids practice it.
What proper body posture means
Kids’ Health website defines posture as the position in which you hold your body and limbs when sitting down and standing up. Experts from the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg and the Otto Friedrich University of Bamberg claim that kids’ posture has a substantial impact on their level of self-confidence, especially when they are in school with their peers.
How to improve your kids’ body posture
Good posture starts with simple changes in your kids’ daily routines. Here are some tips to help you encourage your kids to follow good posture habits:
1. Show, don’t tell.
One of the first things you need to do to encourage your kids to follow proper posture is to set a good example for them. If you practice proper posture yourself, it will be easier for your kids to practice and maintain it as well.
2. Exercise with your kids!
Help your kids exercise to strengthen their muscles. Strong shoulders and back muscles may help kids practice proper posture. There are plenty of simple exercise routines for kids online. Look them up and practice them with your kids.
3. Call for frequent breaks.
Unlike adults, kids have a shorter attention span. If they spend too much time in one position, they’ll start to fidget and feel uncomfortable. You can minimize this by calling for frequent breaks. Getting them to change positions every once in a while is also a suitable way for them to prevent getting sore muscles and stiff joints.
4. Make your kids feel comfortable.
Nowadays, it’s quite common for kids to remain glued to their seats while using their gadgets or their computers. That is especially expected as the pandemic limits face-to-face classes. To help your kids maintain proper posture while using the computer, you could provide them with an ergonomic floor chair. These specially-designed chairs are highly-functional, lightweight, and provide ample back support.
Hindrances to proper body posture.
Besides teaching your kids proper posture techniques, you also need to be aware of certain factors which may hinder them from maintaining good posture:
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A heavy backpack
A heavy backpack strains the shoulders of your kids and can affect their posture negatively. If you’re not careful, this may also cause your kids’ back muscles to weaken. That is the common reason why some kids have droopy shoulders. Without proper intervention, the continued use of a heavy backpack may lead to stiff muscles and uneven shoulders.
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A hard mattress
A hard mattress prevents the back muscles of your kids from relaxing. More than anything, it also prevents proper blood circulation, which, in turn, may constrict their nerves and cause spinal injuries or other forms of permanent spinal damages.
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A bad sitting position
Have your kids got used to sitting at an uneven angle? Do something about it! Allowing them to revert to this position may impair their lung function and affect their digestion as well. What’s more, bad posture habits while sitting may also cause the curvature of the spine.
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Overweight or obesity
Another factor that may potentially affect your kids’ posture is their body weight. If they are overweight, they might have a more difficult time sitting and standing proper;y while following correct body posture techniques. If you find that this is a significant factor in your kids’ posture, you may want to consider helping them manage their weight or, at the very least, help them move around more comfortably while carrying their full body weight.
Poor posture has been linked to low self-esteem and poor body image, as well as irreversible spinal injuries and poor lung function. The good news is, your kids don’t have to go through all that. You can correct these early on by teaching them proper posture techniques and providing early intervention.
