6 Bad Postures That Ruin Your Health

Evolution designed man to walk, run, hunt and play. It did not design us to spend long hours at our computers or desks. Over time, we have adopted several bad postures that ruin our health, and the result of that is an increase in all sorts of chronic pains and conditions.

Bad body postures can cause anything from headaches to acidity, but its worst impact, often, is on the spine. If not rectified, these bad postures that ruin health can have irreversible effects.

Scientists have conducted serious research into ergonomics and have attempted to leverage this science to reverse the ill-effects of bad postures that ruin health. Luckily, there is sufficient knowledge today to understand how muscles work.

While most of us are aware of the hazards of subjecting ourselves to bad postures that ruin health, we find it difficult, in the rush of our daily existence, to get rid of habits that have been formed and carried through many years. We forget to get up from our desks and walk, or to hold our heads and shoulders straight.

So what are some bad postures that ruin health?

Hunching over: We’re all guilty of bad body postures, and this is the most common. We hunch our shoulders, lower our necks and squint for hours together over the computer screen. Well, this is one of the bad postures that ruin your health. It causes back, neck and shoulder ache. When we get up, our standing postures also reflect the stoop.

Jutting your head forward: This is one of those bad body postures we adopt unconsciously. We hold our heads forward with unnecessary tension instead of relaxing it and keeping it level with our shoulders. How is this one of the bad postures that ruin health? It results in chronic pain and stress injury in the neck and shoulder region.

Slumping back: Our spines are curved, and need proper support. An ergonomic chair curves to support the hollow of our back. However, we sit in any chair we like, sometimes without our back properly touching any surface. This places stress on the spine and results in lower back pain which can radiate to the legs as well.

Using many pillows: We like height, while reading or sleeping, and so we prop up several pillows. But this is one of the bad postures that ruin health. If our neck and shoulders are bent at an unnatural angle for a long period of time, it can cause stress in the area. It could also result in a chronic condition such as spondylosis.

Using mouse or mousepad: When we use the mouse, we repeatedly use a limited set of muscles. The situation is worse when we use the mousepad of a laptop – an even smaller set of muscles in your palm and finger are used. These bad body postures cause pain and numbness in the arm, palm and fingers. Limit your computer use. Always use a mouse with your laptop.

Sitting without your feet touching the floor: Adjust your seating so that your feet rest comfortably on the floor, with your legs straight. Dangling feet put strain on the rest of the body and lead to poor blood circulation. This is one of those bad body postures that lead to varicose veins and swollen feet.