I’ll be the first to admit I am not a role model when it comes to good posture. It’s not that I don’t want to stand or sit up straight, it’s that I forget. It doesn’t matter where I am or what I’m doing — hunched over my keyboard or phone, slouched on the subway, couch-potatoed on my sofa at home — chances are my spine is not going to be in a nice, healthy, neutral alignment, because I’m just not thinking about it. Sometimes all it takes is a reminder for me to snap into a healthier position, which is why Jennifer Garner‘s latest Instagram video came just at the right time.
There I was, slouched over in my desk chair per usual, my lower back hunched and my shoulders tilted over to one armrest (a nice two-for-one slouch), when Garner’s video popped up on my feed. One thing about me, if a celebrity wants to share their posture tips, I will shut up and listen. Because have you seen these people walk on the red carpet? Shoulders pinned back, spine ramrod straight, commanding the room? Yeah, they know what they’re doing out there. If they feel like sharing secrets, I’m all ears.
Garner kept her video short, sweet, and effective. “I’m gonna say something really uncool,” Garner says, in full mom mode. “When is the last time you thought about your posture?”
As the video continues, Garner asks the camera, “are you always like this?” and thrusts her head forward, neck parallel to the ground. “I am always like this,” Garner shares, and judging by the commend section, she’s far from the only one.
Then, Garner lists a few quick ways to fix this common posture problem. “Just go from the top down,” she explains. Start by sliding your chin back in space to bring your neck upright. “Then move your shoulder blades back and down,” she says. Finally, she says, “tuck your pelvis so you’re all in one straight line,” i.e. not sticking your butt out or over-emphasizing the curve in your spine. (PS: butt workouts are also great for keeping your pelvis in proper alignment!)
All three of these tips check out. According to Harvard Health, good posture includes aspects like keeping your chin parallel to the floor, your shoulders even (which you can achieve by rolling them up, back, and down), and keeping your spine neutral, so you’re not overarching the curve in your lower back. Check, check, and check — thanks Jennifer Garner! Some other important factors: keeping your arms at your sides with your elbows straight, your abs braced, your knees even and pointing straight ahead, and your bodyweight distributed evenly between both feet.
And of course, good posture is about much more than looking good during an awards show or walking into a room with confidence; it can have a real impact on your wellness. According to Harvard, maintaining good posture can help you stay in the correct form and avoid injuries when you’re exerting yourself, whether that’s in a full workout or just picking up a heavy box. You’ll also improve your balance and help prevent back and neck pain, a common issue for those of us who sit all day long.
And sometimes, all it takes is a quick reminder to stand up straight — and a few key pointers, actionable pointers to show you how to do it. As one commenter on Garner’s video noticed, “I immediately changed my posture watching this… I bet everyone did!” And they’re not the only one who found Garner’s video relatable. “Yea that’s me!” commented Broadway star Kristin Chenoweth. “I am doing hot yoga which is helping.” Another celeb-approved posture tip to add to the list.
As for Garner, she ended her video on an upbeat note while showing her improved posture in action. “Give it a shot. You’re gonna be so proud of yourself,” she said, proceeding to march around her yard. “Stack your bones!”
Before you go, check out our favorite at-home yoga workouts:
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