How to sit properly while concentrating

The teacher who told you to "Sit up straight!" had a point. Good sitting posture is important to your health — but holding yourself rigid can be as bad as slouching. Change your sitting posture regularly to alter the forces on your joints and muscles. If you're reading a document or are on the phone, move in your chair, perhaps sit back and relax a little, or stand up to take a call. Here are some more tips on improving your sitting positions.

• Pay attention to the height of your chair in relation to your desk, your monitor and your own height.
• The work surface should be at about elbow level and afford clearance below for your knees.
• The top of the screen should be slightly below your eye level.
• If it's too low, use a stand for it.
• The screen should be positioned so it doesn't reflect glare and cause avoidable eye strain.
• Choose an ergonomic chair with lower-back support for good posture.
• Your head should be freely poised, shoulders relaxed and your knees slightly apart.
• Hold your forearms level or tilt them up slightly.
• Avoid slouching, crossing your legs or twisting your body.
• To lean forward, keep your bottom on the chair and bend from the hip joint.
• Aim to sit with your feet flat and your thighs parallel to the floor.
• Adjust your chair height with these factors in mind.
• Check and correct your posture periodically, and take regular breaks to stand up and walk around.

Sitting incorrectly when you drive can not only cause back strain but affect the quality of your driving and place you in danger in an emergency.

• When you get into your vehicle, make sure the seat is optimally positioned for you.
• Don't sit too far back so that you can barely grasp the bottom of the wheel — or too far forward so that you're hanging onto it.
• Your legs should be comfortable when you press a pedal to the floor.
• Hold the upper part of the steering wheel with your free hand and adjust the seat back so that your arms are not bent at the elbow when holding the wheel and your back is comfortably supported.

Sitting properly can improve your health and posture while reducing strain on your back. Employing these tips in your day to day habits can help you stay fit and prevent any aches, pains or joint problems from occurring.