As technology evolves, so does our posture. The era of iPosture is upon us, bringing with it a unique set of challenges and opportunities. Let's delve into the impact of this digital age on our physical wellbeing and how to stand tall amidst it.
How technology is reshaping our bodies and what we can do about it
With over half of the world’s population engaging with electronic devices, the spotlight has been on what technology can do for us, rather than what it is doing to us
- Recent studies suggest 19 year olds have the same physical activity levels as 6o year olds
- The widespread use of mobile phones has materialized into varying degrees of poor posture
- In 2008, Dr. Dean Fishman coined the phrase ‘text neck’ after examining a 17-year old patient who complained of head and neck pain
- Then came the all too familiar phenomenon of the C-shaped, hunched over back, hovering over a handheld device – dubbed as iPosture
Body education
The premise of body education is to teach you how your body is designed to work
- You may know how to sit, stand, walk, jump, and run, but how do you actually do these activities?
- Nature and nurture facilitated your journey, but who taught you how to do them?
Use your body in a different way
Instead of bringing your body towards the device, you can bring it up towards you
- Place it in the palm of one hand and let it rest there
- This can free your hands of needless tension
- Think ‘up’ instead of straight
Slow Down
When the body is introduced to a single stimulus, it can process the information and respond. When it is bombarded with multiple triggers, it reacts with tension.
- Focus on one phone function at a time – if you’re talking on the phone, try to resist texting at the same time or opening Instagram to look at pictures. Then take a break.
Technology is not the enemy
Being mindful of how much, how often, and to what extent we engage with technology is key to living a balanced lifestyle
- Poor posture doesn’t happen overnight
- It is the accumulation of lifelong habits
- Standing tall in a techno-savvy world is possible if we pay attention and recognize harmful habits that interfere with our body’s optimal functioning
Move with the body as it was designed
The body is designed to bend at the joints, not to contort itself in such a manner
- While the spine can bend, its primary function isn’t to bend over repeatedly throughout the day
- It is merely a response to the habit of being overstimulated
Loosen Your Grip
How much pressure and tension do you apply to the devices you hold and carry?
- The way you hold your body speaks volumes about how manage your devices.
- If your body is in a collapsed state (aka rounding the back), what do you think happens to your posture?
