Proper posture while standing usually means keeping yourself as upright as possible. But when it comes to sitting down, some researchers believe that leaning back a bit is better for your spine.

Using magnetic resonance imagine (MRI), Scottish and Canadian researchers found that sitting up straight may actually be bad for your back.

Scanning the spines of over 20 volunteers, researchers from Aberdeen, Scotland found that leaning back 45 degrees off vertical is ideal for back comfort and safety. I suppose this is good news for my old elementary school principal, who used to lean back in his chair and stare down his nose at troublesome students -- not that I know that from experience, of course ;)

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