Three Tips to Keep Your Spine Healthy
Your spine is the central structure of your body. It is flexible and intricate; it keeps you upright and helps you to stand. Your spine also protects your spinal cord - the nerves that connect your brain to your body. Maintaining a healthy spine helps you maintain a healthy body.
Here are three tips for keeping your spine healthy:
Get Up and Move Around
These days, it seems we are sitting more than ever before. Many people sit all day for their job, and remote work has people feeling like they can’t leave their seats. Netflix binging has taken the place of social gatherings, and even kids have marathon gaming sessions with their friends instead of heading outside to gather and play.
Sitting for long periods leads to poor posture, slouching, and leaning forward, which puts pressure on your spine. Ideally, you should get up once every hour. Set a timer, put an alarm on watch, or use a virtual assistant (like Siri or Google) to remind you to get up and move around.
Wear Properly Fitting Shoes
The shoes you wear are the platform for your body and help keep your spine aligned. Shoes can change how your body moves and may contribute to back, muscle, and soft tissue pain. Make sure you are wearing shoes that fit well, are comfortable, and provide good support.
Book a Massage
Relaxation is usually the first thing that comes to mind when someone mentions a massage. A massage has the therapeutic benefit of increasing blood flow and loosening tight muscles and connective tissues surrounding the spine. Massage can also reduce pain and discomfort in your back while lowering your stress and anxiety level.
Making a few small changes can help you maintain a healthy spine. If you have trouble getting up and moving every hour, aim for one time a day this week and increase it next week. When you do get up and move, be sure to wear your comfortable and supportive shoes. Although you might not have time this week, plan ahead and take an hour for yourself by booking a massage. Small changes add up and contribute to the health of your spine and body.