Health concerns are usually one of the major things that cause us worry in life. Alongside money and relationships, health makes up the top 3 things people worry about the most. Ironically, worrying about health affects our psychological health. Often, our health problems are relatively minor; the odd cough or cold we get over within a few days, but sometimes we develop something more serious.
The cause of many health issues are not usually obvious and can go undetected or unsolved for a long time, especially if medical advice is not sought early on. One thing that many people seem to disregard is the effect our posture can have on many aspects of our health.
Bad posture, for example, can put excessive pressure on our internal organs, forcing them to work harder and less efficiently. Poor blood circulation can cause varicose veins; dark blue/purple swollen and twisted veins that are prominent just below the skin. What many people don’t realise is that poor circulation can be caused by a number of factors such as artery disease, obesity and even poor posture. Poor posture can mean that your heart has to work harder to push blood around the body, not to mention through faulty valves that cause varicose veins.
Good posture can improve your blood circulation, which in turn improves the efficiency at which your body takes up oxygen. Ultimately this is down to your lung function. When you are hunched over, there is not enough space for your lungs to expand, restricting your air intake. A lack of oxygen to vital organs such as your heart and brain can lead to a variety of health issues, ranging from shortness of breath, to even heart disease.
In the long term, poor posture can have a gradual effect on your nerve function. If you have ever experienced a pinched nerve, you will understand the importance of not applying pressure to that area, and good posture can help prevent and cure this. Nerves run throughout our bodies and are prominent throughout our spine. A shift in our bones, whether sudden or over time, can cause them to come into contact with the nerves and give rise to neck pain, back pain and more.
If you have ever suffered from digestive issues, it is important to consider the possible effect of your posture on this. Often, those who work desk jobs with minimal movement throughout the day and hunched over a computer are at most risk. The effect of such posture is gradual, so must be addressed early on. Luckily, many organisations understand the effect of this on employee health and provide training on such issues.
As you can see, bad posture can have a wide-ranging effect so it is imperative it is prevented in the first place. However, not all is lost if you have bad posture. Consider increasing your movement through exercise and stretching to counteract it, or invest in posture correction clothing to protect your long-term health.