Did you know that, according to the American Chiropractic Association, an estimated 80% of Americans will experience back pain at some point in their lives? Ouch!
Fortunately, you can help ease the pain by putting a focus on spine health and wellness in your everyday life. But what are the best ways to prioritize spinal health? We’ve got your back (literally).
Keep reading to learn about 5 daily activities you can do to maintain a healthy spine and prevent back pain.
1. Stretch It Out
One of the best things you can do for your back is to incorporate regular stretching routines into your day. One easy way to do this is by replacing some of your daily “phone scroll” breaks with stretch breaks instead.
For example, if you’re watching sports, instead of grabbing your phone during a commercial break, take a few minutes to stand up stretch your back, and roll your neck a few times.
You should also stretch before you climb into bed and as soon as you wake up each morning to loosen up your muscles and help you stay limber.
2. Prioritize Exercise
Do you experience tight back muscles on a daily basis? Get moving! Staying active is another great way to keep your spine healthy and prevent back pain as you get older.
It’s not always easy to find the motivation to exercise, especially when you’re busy with work, family, and social commitments, so try to find a type of movement you genuinely enjoy.
You might start taking daily walks, practice yoga before bed, swim laps, or even just run around and play with your kids. Any type of movement helps, so experiment and find what works for you.
3. Practice Good Posture
If you spend the majority of your day sitting behind a computer, you might be slumped over a bit without even realizing it. Poor posture can lead to spinal issues if you’re not careful.
You can start to improve your posture by using a mirror to see how you naturally sit and stand. Then, you can use the mirror to make adjustments to your head, neck, and shoulders so that you’re sitting up straighter and not putting a strain on your spine.
4. Get Up and Walk Around
Does your day involve a lot of sitting? Over time, this can impact your spinal health, leading to back problems. When possible, take a quick walking break every hour to get your body up and moving.
Even just a few minutes of walking back and forth can do wonders for your spine and lessen the impact of too much time spent sitting down.
5. Improve Your Lighting
You might be wondering what lighting has to do with spine health, but hear us out. When you’re struggling to see in poor lighting, your body tries to compensate by slouching forward, especially in the neck and shoulder area.
This is not good for your spine, so try brightening up your space so that it’s easy to see and you don’t have to strain your neck.
Start Focusing on Spine Health and Wellness Today
After reading through our ideas on how how to improve your spine health and wellness, you have the tools you need for a happy back! Make these habits a priority daily and you’ll be able to feel the difference in no time.
Looking for more health tips to help you live your best life? Read through our other articles before you go.