Are you a fitness buff? If you are, you must be aware of healthy lifestyle choices that do not concern only food and exercise. No matter what your age, you have to be informed of what healthy choices are so that you can maintain your body in good condition.
One of the often-overlooked aspects of the body is the back. The spine gets a heavy beating each day as we slouch in front of the computer or carry heavy bags. Although it is overlooked, the back is one of the important parts of the body that should be taken care of, especially as you age.
How can you take good care of your back, especially during a remote work setup?
Back in Shape
There are many ways in which you can take care of your back. It consists of diet, exercise, and even your everyday household items.
It may come as a surprise but having a good and supportive mattress will provide you a good night’s rest. This is especially important because sleep allows the body to repair any damage that the day’s work may have caused. Invest in good sleep to protect your back from further decline.
Along with this, you need to regularly stretch your body throughout the day. This will help your back and your neck. It is important to remain flexible and to maintain good joint function. Stretching at the start of your day can be energizing, and it can be good for your spinal health.
You also need to stay active. Stretching alone will not keep you in good shape. You need to work out regularly to keep your bones and muscles healthy. Exercising helps maintain a healthy spine. Go for a jog, swim, or bike with the kids to help you fit exercise into your schedule. You are at most risk of lower back pain if you are overweight. Excess weight also adds unnecessary stress to your muscles and ligaments.
Also, remember to stay hydrated at all times. Apart from maintaining proper bodily functions, water maintains good hydration in your spine, preventing injury and damage to your joints and bones. Keep a jug nearby every day to remind you to take sips throughout your work hours.
These are few reminders to keep in mind for you to maintain good spinal health as you age.
Spinal Concerns
It is important to remember the various ways in which you can take care of your spinal health. As you age, many changes can occur in the body. If you notice these changes, it may be time for you to contact a doctor.
In case of emergencies, call 911 immediately. You should seek immediate medical help for spine-related concerns. Before 911 arrives, try your best not to move the person involved to avoid further injury.
To avoid spinal injury, there are bad habits that you might be guilty of but should avoid doing at all costs.
Bad Back Habits
Most of us have been working from home since the start of the pandemic. Due to this setup, we may be sitting hunched in front of our laptop screens for more than 9 hours per day. This is against your spine’s natural alignment, and it can be detrimental to your spine health. As mentioned, you should always stretch and gently move your neck in different directions every half an hour to avoid strain.
Apart from this, sitting too long is also detrimental to your spinal health. The sitting position tends to put stress on your back muscles, neck, and spine. You need to remember to walk around your room every few minutes to avoid straining your spine.
Eating a diet full of sweets may be bad for your spinal health as well. Doing so will deprive you of your much-needed nutrients such as vitamin D and calcium. Make sure you get enough servings of these nutrients before devouring that cupcake.
When sleeping, it is best to sleep on your side to avoid back pain. Sleeping on your back or your belly can lead to further pain or injury. Try side-sleeping to prevent straining your back after a long day of work.
If you are a smoker, perhaps it is time to quit, especially if your back has been hurting. Smoking will not only damage your lungs, but it will also damage your spine. Smoking can weaken bones. This habit can also slow down healing, so once you get injured, it will be difficult to get back on track.
These are a few reminders of the bad habits you may have picked up over the years. It is important to keep these in mind to avoid injury as you grow older. The spine is an important part of the body, and it pays to pay attention to its needs as you will need support throughout your senior years.
