Amid classes, studying and everyday chaos, proper posture is often overlooked. Although correct posture is essential to building and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, students are usually concerned with sitting up straight.
???According to Janet Hinkel, a research assistant in the Department of Health Behavior, it is important to understand how people are use their bodies in their daily lives. Good posture can be a key element in experiencing less physical health issues later in life, such as back problems.
???Hinkel believes that chairs are major contributors to students' weak posture. Not only do they sit in chairs most of the day, but the design of the chairs also works against them.
???"The way that we sit is dysfunctional," Hinkel said. "The human spine is designed to keep us upright because we have a concave lower back, but our chairs are designed against us because when we sit, the pelvis falls backwards and the lower back goes flat."
???Back problems and poor physical health are not the only issues related to bad posture.
???"Back pain is just the tip of the iceberg because posture can also affect our mental state, such as depression or anxiety," Hinkel said. "It's overlooked, partly because the research on posture and health is not extensive. It's anecdotal and experimental."
???Amanda Ackerson, a senior psychology major, said that poor posture can affect her mood. Good posture boosts how she feels, while poor posture leads to a negative impact on her emotions.
???"If you're feeling down one day, readjusting your posture or trying different ones could lift your mood," Ackerson said. "I've also had days at work where my back hurts. It puts me in an aggravated mood because I hate being uncomfortable and I can't focus."
???Stephanie Siwiec, a freshman political science major, thinks the way students position their bodies is an unconscious decision made in certain professional and social situations. Slouching can appear unprofessional and unattractive.
???"In a conference room, meeting or any other professional setting, sitting up straight gives you a confidence boost," Siwiec said.
???Ackerson believes that students are unable to demonstrate good posture in their daily routines because of their eagerness to accomplish a week's worth of tasks in one day, and remaining relaxed and low-key is not in their nature.
???"I think that as a society, we are uptight," Ackerson said. "We are overachievers and this makes us tense and nervous, more than we need or should be."
???Hinkel noted that a good way to relieve tension that builds up as a result of poor posture is to attend a yoga class.
???"Yoga is one of those rare things that keeps us healthy as we age," Hinkel said. "What we can do on the mat can possibly improve our lives off the mat."
???Ackerson believes in the healing power of yoga and is learning techniques to improve her posture. Through simple yoga stretches, she takes what she learns and applies it to her daily life to relax.
???"I love yoga. It is an awesome way to become more aware of your body inside and out," Ackerson said. "Anytime I can apply yoga techniques to real life, I do."
