9 DAILY HABITS THAT ARE HURTING YOUR BACK
As we grow older, the discs in our back deteriorate and become more prone to injury. With that said, it is important for older adults to be mindful of their daily habits that may lead to pain or discomfort. Here are nine common daily habits that can cause back pain.
ARE YOU GUILTY OF THESE BACK-HURTING HABITS?
SITTING IN ONE PLACE FOR A LONG TIME Sitting in place for a long time can lead to back pain. Whether you are at work all day or sitting down helping kids with homework, the truth is that it takes a toll on the body's posture and muscle strength. For example, when we sit still too much, these muscles don't get the opportunity to let go of any stress they may be holding onto. Over time, it will create tension, creating discomfort throughout the spine, causing lower back pains or sciatica symptoms. Not only does this bring physical health issues, but mental health concerns too. When our backs hurt, so do we. Avoid being in a sedentary position for hours by taking frequent breaks and moving around frequently.
NOT GETTING ENOUGH SLEEP CAN LEAD TO BACK PAIN Insufficient sleep can lead to back pain. Sleep in the time our body's muscles are given a chance to heal themselves from any damage they may have endured throughout the day at work or exercise. If you are not sleeping well, it will eventually take its toll on your health in general, including your posture, which then causes you discomfort and back pain.
BAD POSTURE CAN LEAD TO BACK PAIN Bad posture can lead to back pain. We all know that maintaining a good healthy lifestyle is incredibly important for our health and wellbeing. Still, we often neglect the simplest of things, such as practicing proper posture. For example, if you sit in front of a computer for hours on end, make sure your chair has enough lumbar support so it's not putting too much pressure on your lower back area where this discomfort may stem from. In addition to this, keep your head up straight with eyes facing forward when looking at the screen, or else you will start feeling neck pains over time too! Maintaining a correct posture is one of many daily habits that hurt our backs, which should be kept in mind throughout each day.
BODY POSITIONING DURING SLEEP CAN LEAD TO BACK PAIN Body positioning during sleep can lead to back pain. When we lay down, it's crucial not only for our lower spine but also the middle and upper spine that they are all in a straight line with no pressure on them at all. Everything relaxes when we go to sleep, making us more susceptible to injuries such as slipped or herniated discs if proper precautions aren't considered. Unfortunately, not everyone realizes this. Sleep on your side rather than your stomach if you are experiencing back pain. Otherwise, you will start feeling discomfort around these areas of your body sooner than later, once again causing aches and pains throughout the entire day, including those pesky sciatica symptoms.
SMOKING CAN LEAD TO BACK PAIN Research suggests that smoking can cause back pain. It increases the rate of spinal disc degeneration and makes it harder for your spine to receive the nutrition it requires. This negatively affects your posture and the spine's natural curve over time. Smoking also causes muscle tension which in turn affects our backs. Therefore, the faster you stop, the better for both your health, appearance, and posture.
POOR DIET CAN CAUSE BACK PAIN A poor diet can cause back pain. Sometimes we have to remind ourselves that what's good for the body is pure, whole foods without any additives or preservatives. Processed food is bad news for overall health, especially if you're suffering from chronic discomfort in your lower back. If you want a healthy lifestyle, focus on eating natural whole foods to nourish your body, keep it feeling great, and improve its function.
LACK OF EXERCISE Lack of exercise can cause back pain. This is due to how it negatively affects your posture and the spine's natural curve over time. Lack of activity will do nothing more than leaving you feeling sluggish, which affects your back. The sooner we start exercising, the better for both our health, appearance, and posture.
WEARING THE WRONG SHOES LEADS TO BACK PAIN Wearing the wrong shoes can lead to back pain. Wearing high heels, for example, puts an enormous amount of pressure on your ankles and lower back muscles because you are constantly in a state of tension when wearing them. Not only that, but it also makes us lean forward, which then affects our posture as well. In addition, if we wear flat or loose-fitting shoes too much, they will start creating discomfort around our feet and ankle areas due to their lack of support. If you need help deciding what shoe is best suited for your needs, many experts would be happy to assist, such as podiatrists or chiropractors specializing in footwear.
STRESS CAN CAUSE BACK PAIN Stress can cause back pain. Stress can cause many mental and physical problems in our body, and back pain is one. When your bodies are under stress, it creates muscle tension which in turn affects your back. As you grow older, your body doesn't regulate hormones as it used to. As a result, your body produces a large amount of stress hormones. Try to perform activities that help you reduce stress. Improve your diet and sleep, and consult a doctor if your stress is getting out of hand.
The best way to avoid these common back problem triggers is through prevention. Start by taking care of your body before you even start the day! Get out and get some exercise, eat a nutrient-rich breakfast with protein, drink lots of water throughout the day, and take time for yourself after work so that you can relax. Remembering these tips will help keep your spine in excellent shape all year long.
