Can bad posture make you feel more tired?
You’ve finished work for the day, and you’re on the commute home. However, all you can think about is opening your front door and flopping straight into bed!
If you’re feeling more tired than usual, your posture might be the culprit. Join us as we look at how bad posture can make you want to head straight to bed, and how to improve your posture for health.
Why bad posture can make you feel tired
- Your muscles have to work harder. When you have bad posture, your muscles must work harder to keep your spine in alignment. As a result, they get tired sooner, which can leave you feeling drained
- It compresses your blood vessels. Slouching leads to poor circulation, which means less oxygen flows around your body. This leads to low energy levels and fatigue
- You take shallower breaths. Poor posture means your chest is compressed, and you have to take fewer deep breaths. This doesn’t just mean less oxygen flowing around your body but can increase stress levels, which in turn leads to exhaustion
- It leads to poorer quality sleep. Bad posture leads to aches and pains in your neck and back, which can affect your sleep. This means you feel more tired during the day
The good news? Studies have shown that improving your posture and standing upright can reduce fatigue.
Five simple steps to improve your posture and help you feel more alert
Improving your posture won’t just make you feel more energetic during the day. It can reduce back pain and even make you feel more confident too!
Here are five ways to improve your posture and reduce tiredness.
- Get some exercise. While exercise might be the last thing you want to do when you’re feeling sleepy, it can give you a fantastic energy boost. Not only this, but it can strengthen your core muscles, meaning your posture improves
- Improve your sleeping space. A new pillow or mattress can help your posture, meaning you get a better night’s sleep and feel less tired during waking hours.
- Change your office space. Feel yourself dropping off while you’re looking at spreadsheets? Investing in a good chair and improving your desk layout can enhance your posture and get you through the working day!
- Understand the difference between good and bad posture. Knowing what to look out for means you can quickly correct your posture if you start slouching or slumping. If you’re still struggling, why not try a smartphone app that tells you when your posture needs improving?
- Try a posture corrector. A posture corrector trains your muscles, encouraging good posture even when you’re not wearing it.
If you struggle to keep your eyes open during the day, it’s worth checking your posture. A few small changes can make a world of difference!