Prevent Injuries with Good Posture

For those of us who are knitters (and those of us who aren’t!) posture is an extremely important part of our daily routines and hobbies. As easy as it is to neglect, good posture can help prevent injuries and discomfort in our bodies. Having poor or slouched posture restricts the space that organs have to work in, namely the lungs and digestive organs. This can result in feelings of tiredness, achiness, or just feeling unwell in general. When knitting or stitching, sitting for an extended period of time can cause stiffness, tightness, and shortening of muscles. Improving posture takes a lot of practice and a lot of attentiveness, but over time having better posture will become second nature, and can help you feel a lot better about yourself! A good tip for those who typically sit for an extended period of time, whether you have a desk job, are an avid knitter, or lead a more sedentary lifestyle, is to try to get up and stretch your legs at periodic intervals. This break can be something as quick as taking a lap or two around your house or going on a longer walk outside. This helps to stretch your muscles, improve circulation, and get rid of tension that builds up over time. It also increases oxygen delivery to the brain to help you feel more alert and get through that afternoon slump!

This 2-page booklet from stitchlinks gives a great overview of this topic, including “Dos” and Don’ts” of posture. It also includes a series of posture tips for every position including sitting in a chair, sitting at a computer, standing, and lying down. 

Check out the link below!

http://www.stitchlinks.com/pdfsNewSite/your_health_matters/Posture%20booklet.1.pdf