More and more, people are seeking out ways to not only improve the quality and meaning of their lives but also ways to live longer. We want to know what to eat, what supplements to take, how to exercise, and how to sleep. The list goes on as we seek the answer to “How can we extend our years?”. Although there are so many factors connected to longevity, we want to discuss one that is maybe less obvious – your posture. Is there actually a correlation between your posture and longevity?
While it may not be obvious, there's compelling evidence to suggest that your posture has a significant impact on your general health, independence, and life expectancy.
Researchers in Japan studied the effects of kyphosis (slumped posture), which is directly caused by poor posture over time, on independence and mortality.1 They found that subjects with kyphosis, vs a group with no kyphosis, had a greater loss of independence and a higher rate of mortality over a 6-year period. Another similar study was done in Japan by Kamitami et al, and the findings were similar.2 The greater the level of kyphosis, the greater the loss of independence and decreased life span, by up to 393%!
Additionally, a study by Anderson and Cowan looked at the relationships of measurable variables in people over 70 years old and their lifespan.3 They found that height, body weight, blood pressure, hemoglobin, hand grip, cardiothoracic ratio, and pulse rate were not valid predictors of life span. What they did find as a valid predictor of lifespan may surprise you: degree of kyphosis.
Although these studies were done with the elderly, we should all be concerned!
Take a look around next time you are out in public. Do you see the epidemic of poor posture due to technological advances all around you? This kyphotic posture formerly associated with the elderly has now infiltrated younger and younger generations. Our focus needs to shift from simply thinking about exercise and nutrition when we think of health and wellness. We need to truly consider how poor posture will affect future life spans!
Do you see how all of these effects of poor posture play into the cycle that leads to decreased independence and shorter lifespans?
Given the significant impact poor posture has on your health and lifespan, it's crucial to look at what positions you spend most of your days in. For many of us, it’s sitting. If you’re sitting for work most days, and your body is not well supported, your posture will inevitably suffer. You’re either supporting your future health or your future kyphosis. If you care about your health and longevity, it becomes critical to look at your chair and your workplace setup.
The Chair: There are too many of us who have never considered investing in our office chair, even though we spend more than half of our days sitting! A valid concern when considering a new chair is “Will it actually be worth the money?”. Here are a few things that can help you:
The Workspace: You can have the best chair in the world but if you are not set up properly in your space, all the benefits can be negated. For example, if you are sitting upright and well-supported in your chair and your desk is too high, your shoulders will have to roll forward to reach up to the keyboard and you will end up in a slouched position. Things to consider in your workspace:
It’s time to start talking more about posture and its long-term effects on our quality of life, and even lifespan. Poor posture isn’t going away on its own, we need to be proactive to make the necessary changes!
If you are looking to improve posture and decrease pain while sitting, look no further than Anthros.
Anthros is the only chair in the world that is guaranteed to improve posture or your money back. The science-backed, patented design is registered with the FDA as a posture-improving chair and is proven to have the lowest pressure (most comfortable) cushion on the planet (verified by university testing).
Take the next step to reducing pain, increasing comfort, and maximizing performance!
FIX YOUR SIT