Since March 2020 –due to the pandemic– people the world over have typically spent more time on the couch watching Netflix and slumped over computers while working from home in less than ergonomically correct situations. With some gyms closed, this has led to less activity and more sitting, hunching, and less walking. All of these factors can lead to poor posture. Conversely, the latest figures show that $16.7 billion was spent on cosmetic procedures in the U.S.  All of that tweaking of facial and body parts means nothing if poor posture ages you, or reveals your real age.

— The wrong posture can even create an unflattering silhouette which kind of defeats the purpose of the latest fat melting and zapping techniques.
–The wrong posture is bad for your health and even your frame of mind.

What can you do to change your posture? How can you maintain it?

Dr. Gbolahan Okubajejo is an NYC area Spinal and orthopedic surgeon (www.nynjspine.com). He has some suggestions and quick fixes for incorrect posture and the effects poor posture can have on a woman’s health.

 Graphic above courtesy of Optimal Chiropractic.
Dr. Benjamin Martin D.C. and Dr. Dan Sullivan D. C. 

Effects of Poor Posture on Health

1) Poor Posture deprives oxygen from your body and brain!
When you slump, your brain, heart, and lungs cannot function efficiently. Oxygen equals energy.

2) It weakens bones and muscles causing pain and injury.
Forward head posture can cause back pain and other issues. It can be the culprit of “tech neck.” Every time you lean over even 60 degrees, whether over your phone, the computer, or good book, you are adding up to 60 pounds of pressure on your neck.

3) It can make you depressed!
Poor posture can result in increased stress, potentially leading to chronic stress.  Correct posture in the face of adversity maintains self-esteem and elevates mood.

3 Quick Fixes For Great Posture

 1) Develop a strong core!
A) Research the exercises that will help you develop a strong core to support your back. This doesn’t mean you need to develop a six-pack.
B) Aim to make your core as strong as possible for your age.
C) See link for a demonstration on the workout  https://www.prevention.com/fitness/workouts/g30856105/best-ab-exercises-women/

2) Correcting Round Shoulders: Stretch your chest!
Using an open doorframe, place your bent arms against either side of the door with your elbows in line with your shoulders.
A) Adopt a staggered stance and push your chest forward until you feel a stretch in the chest.
B) Hold the stretch for 15 seconds or until the muscles relax before forcibly pushing your elbows against the doorframe to create muscular tension (try not to generate any movement) for five seconds.
C) Relax and increase the stretch.
D) Repeat this three times before holding the stretch in place for 30–60 seconds.

3) Walking with your pelvis forward- Stretch the hip flexors!

A) Get in a lunge position with your back knee on the floor.
B) Maintaining an upright body position, squeeze your glute muscle on the back leg and push the hips forward.
C) Hold this position for 30–60 seconds, increasing the depth of the stretch as you adapt.
D) To increase the stretch, try taking the arms up overhead.

About Dr. Gbolahan Okubajejo  of www.nynjspine.com

 Gbolahan Okubadejo, MD, FAAOS, leads The Institute for Comprehensive Spine Care, with offices in the greater New York City area, as a spinal and orthopedic surgeon. Board-certified and fellowship-trained, Dr. Okubadejo specializes in the treatment of degenerative spinal disease, spinal deformity, and cervical, lumbar, and thoracic conditions.

Dr. Okubadejo believes in the power of preventive care; minimally invasive surgical procedures; open communication with patients; and personalized care. When he’s not caring for patients, he enjoys traveling, learning about different cultures and the arts, and playing golf.

Dr. Okubadejo earned his undergraduate degree at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, and his medical degree at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore.
He completed his internship and orthopedic surgery residency at Barnes-Jewish Hospital at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.
Dr. Okubadejo completed a spinal surgery fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center in Pittsburgh.

Dr. Okubadejo is a published research author and has presented his findings at several major spinal conferences around the globe.
While a surgical resident, he won the Leonard Marmor Surgical Arthritis Foundation Resident Award for the best research project.

In 2017, Dr. Okubadejo formed the company 360 Dynamized Core, which is focused on creating innovative, spine-safe core fitness products and routines.

The first patented product, 360 CoreBoard, launched to the market in 2020. Find out more at 360coreboard.com

Thanks to Dr. Okubadejo, for his  insight on why proper posture is so important and also for his tips on what we can do to change our posture so that we are less at risk for
healthy problems (particularly those dealing with the back and neck!)

Also if you are serious about working out and getting fit, do check out this 360 CoreBoard,  If you stick with the workout, you can change your body and improve your life!

Stevie Wilson
LA-Story.com

Want to leave a comment or ask a question? Please send an email to stevie.wilson@LA-Story.com

________________________DEALS and STEALS(Affiliate Links)

I curate deals that offer bonuses, bargains, and great products –and some are very specifically for this site to feature to my audience because I want my audience to get amazing products from great brands!
Disclosure: some of the links on this post might have affiliate links! It costs you nothing. If you buy something, the brand pays me a small percentage.
If you purchase via my link, I make a very small percentage for that purchase. It does not add any additional cost to the product. The price you see is the retail price (depending on store or vendor) .

Sunscreens Are Essential in Summer:  Try COOLA Full Spectrum 360 Sun Silk Drops SPF 30

COOLA’s breakthrough Sun Silk Drops— your daily Full Spectrum 360° protection from the sun, environmental toxins, and digital overexposure.
Their advanced organic formula is light-as-air yet protects against broad-spectrum UVA/UVB, IR (infrared), and HEV (high energy visible) Light, meaning they’ve got you covered from beach to board meeting. A fast-absorbing complex blend of plant stem cells and patented LightWaves Defense [JS+M] technology helps to prevent visible signs of aging from both indoor and outdoor daily aggressors. Finally, full-spectrum organic skincare that keeps up with your everyday modern lifestyle!

What else you need to know:
This product is formulated without oxybenzone. It is vegan, non-GMO, TSA-friendly, and cruelty-free.

Available at Sephora.com and Coola.com

Subscribe to RSS headline updates from: http://feeds.feedburner.com/la-story/Bpyd

Powered by FeedBurner
If you are going to feature content from LA-Story.com including images, podcasts, or videos including the accompanying text, please respect copyright provisions. We require a notation of content origination (meaning credit tag), a link- back to the specific page & please email the link to stevie.wilson@la-story.com before the piece goes live.
LA-Story.com, LA-Story Recessionista, Celebrity Stylescope, Celebrity Style Slam Trademark/Copyright: KBP Inc./TNBT Inc 2007-22