1 year ago
Monday, October 14, 2019
REMINDERS ARE NECESSARY
Happy Columbus day and for my Canadian friends, Happy Thanksgiving.
Goodness, two FYIs in a row. I just might be getting preachy.
Somethings in life we just don't seem to master things that are good for us without repetition and reminders. Posture is one of those things for me. Read here if you want to know the 7 scary things that happen to your body when you have bad posture.
I have written more than one post (last one was in May of this year) on the subject and for a while I am a model of perfect posture. Then slowly, I slide into the comfort of slumping. Grrr. My computer is the biggest offender at encouraging the slump. Having a computer hump in your back is a real thing.
Fortunately my blog buddies will occasionally have an epiphany about posture, post about it and I am once again set back on the right track. My blog buddy Barb at One Good Thing set me straight this time.
I had auto corrected myself recently when I discovered that my COPD inhaler didn't seem to be working any more. That upset me for I had just bought a 90 day supply and even from Canada, that isn't cheap. I went to the inhaler site and learned something important that I had quit doing.
If you have compromised lungs, you need to open those lungs to let the meds in. I had morphed back into my computer slump and was using the meds while sitting. This was actually compressing my lungs so that I wasn't getting the proper amount of medicine into the lungs.
The site suggested I stand up as many of us will still slump no matter how we sit. Golly what a difference. The drugs were working again.
Then I read Barb's post and realized that I needed to work on my all round posture, not just for my medicine. I had really gone to pot--again.
I stood in front of a full length mirror relaxed. Then I pulled my body up by that imaginary good posture cord attached to my head that raised my whole frame up. I was shocked to see my image gain almost 2 inches in the mirror.
As a reminder, I put a magic marker line on the mirror where the top of my head should be so that any time I looked in the mirror, I would know to straighten my spine to get those two more inches.
I wanted to take pictures of me growing but all 4 of my camera back up batteries were dead or maybe it is the camera.
How long will this posture improvement last? I have no idea. I just know that I am breathing so much better all the time now thanks to more medicine getting where it was needed and I am no longer squishing my lungs. Thus, I hope it is permanent and that the daily mirror reminder will keep me on track. Thank you Barb for the literal heads up. I needed that.
Do you have something important in your life that you let slide if you are not on top of it all the time??
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Years ago...and I do mean YEARS ago our gym teacher had us wear a clthes hanger in our tops (like, thru the sleeves) during a test hour....to keep from slouching at the desk. It works. But wow, it was odd.
ReplyDeleteI can see how sitting for hours can cramp the lungs. Good advice.
Annie,
DeleteYikes that hanger thing sounded awful if effective. I'll pass on that one. I think sitting especially at computers is the culprit and what needs a bit of attention.
Thanks.
An excellent reminder, Patti! Being a tall old lady, better posture is something I'm always working on. Sometimes I pretend I'm being filmed and straighten out of vanity but had forgotten about all the important health benefits.
ReplyDeleteOut to Pasture,
DeleteTall people do seem to have that tendency just to fit in. Thankfully now, tall is the desired size. I think if I pretend my grandmother is watching, that would work too.
I sure need this reminder. My posture is not great and I slump at the computer too much. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteJean,
DeleteSomething about the computer----. It is my nemesis also. Working on that.
I find that my yoga helps with my posture. That, and I always use my computer (laptop) while supporting my back and keeping my feet up. Makes a big difference. The thing I am struggling with right now is eating right and keeping my weight in bounds. :-(
ReplyDeleteDjan,
DeleteThat sounds like a plan and I really need to check out Yoga as it is a great all round exercise. It has to be hard when you are no longer hiking 20 miles a week to make your body realize you don't need the calories you once did. You can do it.
Glad I came across this, I needed this reminder too--I deal with TMJ (a jaw disorder), poor posture (slumping forward at the computer) puts a LOT of pressure on the jaw's joints. PS. This is my first time to your blog, looking forward to more!
ReplyDeleteApachedug,
DeleteThank you so much for stopping by and commenting. Interesting about TMJ. My sister has that and this might help her.
I skipped over to your blog and was delighted. I really like your style of writing and thoroughly enjoyed your flashing of the old lady. Fun and very well written.
This comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteThat marked mirror trick is a good one Patti! I must be constantly alert with posture or I revert to old (bad) ways of sitting and standing. Balance is another issue the PT is working on with me, and I actually thought my balance was pretty good. It's been an eye-opener to realize how much better it should be. Patti - are you sitting up straight as you read this? (Just a reminder...)
ReplyDeleteBarb,
DeleteMy balance is pitiful and I should work on it also. Had to laugh at your reminder.
You almost caught me. I have been jerking from slump to upright in the chair like I have a neurological problem:))
Wow, this is so interesting Patti. Glad that posture could help you. I wear a contraption at my desk so my posture is forced to not slouch. It really works. Difficult at first I admit. Sitting so much has really done a disservice to my posture I have noticed and I like to look as tall as I can being 5'1"
ReplyDeleteMargaret,
DeleteI understand that wanting to look taller. I think slumping I corner the 5' market. You had mentioned that device before and I have it bookmarked. May just spring for it. Thanks.
To this day, whenever I feel myself slumping in a chair, I hear my mother's voice: "Sit up Tommy!" So ... thank you mother for saving my back!
ReplyDeleteTom,
DeleteI got the same lessons--mostly from my grandmother--but mine didn't take as well. Working on it.
My Grandma always told me, Pull your shoulders back, you want to be round-shouldered?" Apparently there was a time when round-shouldered was shameful. I always thought the shoulder back thing looked like the person had coat hangers in their shirt and a rod up their arse.
ReplyDeleteAnyway I am now round-shouldered like 98% of the world...never caused me any problems.
By round shouldered I do not mean serious slumping, just not ridged stand at attention posture.
Deletejoeh,
DeleteActually I would settle for round shoulders. It is the humped back thing that I am trying to avoid. Check Hootin Annie's first comment. She actually had to do the coat hanger thing.
That is so interesting, Patti. I had no idea that posture could have an affect on your lungs. I will remember this. As we get older we spend so much time sitting, so it's really important we sit in a way that's not so damaging on our bones and muscles. I think about this all the time because my back is such a crooked little mess.
ReplyDeleterobin,
DeleteFortunately you and roger do lots of walking so maybe that will help. It is amazing just how much posture does effect our health.
Not slumping!!!!!! I certainly need to work on that! Thank you for the reminder.
ReplyDeleteJust had a friend tentatively diagnosed with COPD. Will pass this tip on!
Oh my! It would take a long comment, to list all the things I need to keep reminding myself to do, or to not do!!!! -sigh-
And the list, seems to keep getting longer.
Again, thank you for this reminder, to notice them all, and work on them.
Thought....We _never_ can stop learning or re-learning, can we?????????????????
🍂🍁🎃🍁🍂
wisps of words,
DeleteThanks for passing it on to your friend. If we have healthy lungs it probably is not a big deal but when our lungs are compromised, we need all the aids we can get.
Slumping just feels more comfortable but we all know that doesn't make it right. Constant reminders are essential.
ReplyDeleteFun60,
DeleteI know I need them. My head gets heavier every year.
Mine is definitely posture.... I am AWARE --but constantly find myself leaning forward or down with my head... I have my Mom's back/neck ---and hate seeing myself standing or walking like that.... Now ---I just TRY not to make it worse... YES---I am VERY aware.....
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Betsy
Betsy,
DeleteKnow what you mean. I had no idea how bad I was getting till I had a side view chest
X-ray and saw this strange person's bent back. Yuck.
Hey, sweet Patti first I want to thank you for the "like" on the bird pic. Now for posture I have no problem at the computer it is when I watch TV I have to keep reminding my self to straighten up. I am glad you figured out what to do to get your medicine working for you again...you DO need to be able to breathe for sure. Hugs
ReplyDeleteMaggie,
DeleteWas delighted to see you posting again with your wonderful wildlife shots.
It sure seems an effort these days since we no longer have our Moms telling us to "sit up straight".
I bought a bra recently that helps my posture. It really works and is very comfortable, but it's got so many hooks on it, it takes a while to get on. And I can't wear certain shirts with it because all the hooks show through.
ReplyDeleteSnickelfritz,
DeleteI have seen them on the Internet and they didn't look comfortable. Glad they are more so than they look. Interesting about the shirts.
That mirror trick is a great idea. I'll have to try that. I would have said I had decent posture but then when you stop to think about it, maybe not so much. I'll look into that too. Good reminders.
ReplyDeleteBarbara,
DeleteWe tend to think we are all right till our bodies tell us different. The mirror so far has worked quite well for me.
Oh so many... so very many. I'm supposed to watch my carbs and yes, the physical therapists did tell me I MUST stand up straighter. He had me back up on the wall and told me this is how you should stand. Sigh... but I keep forgetting. In tai chi, they keep telling us to imagine a string pulling us up from the top of our heads. But... again, I keep forgetting. Sigh...
ReplyDeleteKay,
DeleteI do that string thing also. It works. It is just so comfy to slump but we really should try to fight it.
Things I let slide? Gosh the list is so long. But posture isn't one of them, unless I'm watching TV, then I'm sprawled in the chair and usually can't move because the cat is asleep somewhere between my knees and feet.
ReplyDeleteRiver,
DeleteLucky you to have good posture. Know what you mean by pets. I get flanked on the couch by Callie and Minnie and I hate to move and disturb them.
My wake-up call is when I look into the rearview and side mirros in the car and realize I need to sit up with better posture. I really have to work harder on posture since I had two compression fractures from my chemo.
ReplyDeleteCarolyn,
ReplyDeleteI do pretty good in the car for if I don't sit up, I am looking thru the steering wheel. Well not quite that bad but close.
Good posture should really help with those fractures. Keep up the good work.
Look at you. Me, the side effects from lung cancer keep me sitting straight.
ReplyDeleteMy older daughter did a video of me playing football with my granddaughter and I couldn't believe how round shouldered I am.
ReplyDeleteThank you too. I too am breathing better.
ReplyDeleteI had a friend once who had such good posture I asked her about it. She said her mother used to tell her to suck her stomach in all the time. She was lucky to have been taught that all her growing up years. I was not and now I sway my back really bad when I am standing.
ReplyDeleteThe one place I notice my posture the most is when I am sitting in front of computer. I slump horribly. Good reminder!