Technology hasn’t stopped making progress, and more developments are making us inclined to make things easier for us. Currently, we’re in an age of digital innovations, where a lot of things can be accessed at literally the tap of a finger. Even work can now be done at home, and we don’t need to do as much getting up and travel. Because of this, our backs may suffer. So here are essential care points that you need to know and remember.
Get Proper Support– We’ve been taught that our spine is part of the structure that supports our body. However, it will give way if we don’t give it some reinforcement as well. For one, we do many activities while sitting nowadays, such as working on the computer. A comfortable chair that’s not only cushioning your butt but also your back is pretty much a requirement if you’re planning to commit long hours. When it comes to sleeping, firmer beds are better as they don’t let your spine deform. If you need to get yourself a new mattress, then you might as well do so.
Practice Posture– It’s also important to position yourself in such a way that the muscles on your back won’t experience too much strain. For example, having a firm bed is not going to guarantee a good back if you’re always on your stomach. As much as possible, lay down on your back or your side, but with support for your head and knees. The same goes for when you’re sitting. Make sure that your spine’s natural curves show, and they are supported. Lifting and standing properly is also important, and you should mainly use your legs to do so rather than your back.
Build up Strength– While proper outside support is a must, you should remember that your back has muscles, and they need to be strong too. One way to take care of those muscles is to give them some exercise. And what’s great about it is that you don’t need equipment other than a mat. There are a lot of routines that you can follow online, with difficulty depending on how used you are to workouts. In fact, you can go for as little as 15 minutes a day.
Keep Moving– Part of why people’s backs suffer in this day and age is the lack of physical movement in their everyday lives. You may have to do activities that force you to be in one position for a long time, such as online schooling or working. But they aren’t excuses for you to abandon care for your back and spine. Make it a regular habit to stretch every so often and even move around for a few minutes. These help keep unneeded pressure off your spine and also help you avoid burning out when doing tasks for prolonged periods.
Our lives may seem easier nowadays because of various innovations, but it can also quickly become unhealthy when it leads us to develop habits that harm us. Take care of not just your mental health, but also your physical health as well. Maintaining a good back may seem like an afterthought, but it’s needed for us to be able to handle the kind of activities we do today.