How much do you think your head weight is affected by how much you look at your phone, tablet, laptop? You think your neck muscles were made to hold your head up, they aren’t! The average adult head weighs 10 to 12 pounds when it’s in the upright or neutral position. However, because of that pesky thing called physics — gravitational pull — the cranium becomes heavier the more you bend your neck. Loss of the natural curve of the cervical spine leads to incrementally increased stresses about the cervical spine. These stresses may lead to early wear, tear, degeneration and possibly surgeries. Tilting your head a mere 15 degrees puts 27 pounds of pressure on your spine; a 30-degree neck tilt could equal 40 pounds of pressure; a 45-degree tilt adds the force of 49 pounds.
It’s no secret that correct posture is better for your back. According to researchers, “good posture is defined as ears aligned with the shoulders and the ‘angel wings,’ or the shoulder blades retracted.” Standing tall doesn’t just make you look better. It optimizes your health, too. Other studies have found good posture elevates testosterone and serotonin in the body and also reduces levels of the stress hormone cortisol.
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