That's Fit

Stand up straight! No, that's not my impression of a military drill sergeant or a parochial school nun; rather, it's sound advice that can benefit your overall health.

Poor posture can, over time, can cause increased wearing of the joint surfaces, something that can potentially lead to arthritis. What's more, in cases where a person's posture is extremely poor, an actual change to the anatomical characteristics of the spine can occur. This, in turn, can wreak havoc on your muscles and nerves, as well as your lifestyle.

Does this mean that you should resort to walking around with a book on top of your head? Not unless you're the type who likes to get strange looks from people. Otherwise, being aware of how you are standing and sitting should be enough of a reminder to keep your back from rounding too much.

According to this website, proper posture includes:

• Keeping your head directly over your shoulders;
• Your shoulders should be directly over your pelvis;
• Tighten the core abdominal muscles;
• Tuck in the buttocks; and,
• Place the feet slightly apart with a slight bend at the knees