One of the first signs of aging is feeling pain and tension in the joints. This is often made worse by poor posture. Not only is poor posture bad for your spine, but also it causes your abs to lose tone and gives your body the appearance that you are not in great physical shape. This might be why you can instantly appear younger, more healthy, and vibrant simply by improving your posture.

Many of us lead sedentary lives, and this takes its toll on the spine. Good posture should be adhered to 24 hours a day, whether sitting or standing. Even the manner in which we sleep can determine how much pain we experience upon waking. If you work at an office desk, then it is important to sit up straight and keep your neck at a comfortable tension. If not, it is only a matter of time before your bad habits begin to produce telltale signs of pain, soreness, and joint inflammation.

Posture is not only important to those who lead sedentary lives, but it is also very important for athletes and those who keep an active, fit lifestyle. The posture that a person maintains while exercising or working out can mean the difference between maximum benefits and injury. Keeping the spine erect, and the abs or core muscles pulled taut at all times will keep your body balanced and stabilized. This prevents injuries whether working out or performing household tasks.

You are never too old to begin practicing good posture, and here are a few tips to get you on your way to a new, taller, you. To begin, place an exercise mat on the floor and lay on your back with your knees bent, feet flat on the floor. The object of this exercise is to bring the muscles of the upper body back into alignment. With arms bent at the elbows, bring your palms together, across your body. Keep hands together, as in a prayer, with the hands and elbows directly over your forehead. Hold for a count of thirty, and then place the arms flat on the mat (still bent at a 90 degree angle) alongside your head. Repeat ten times. You will feel this exercise stretch the area from your neck to your shoulders.

This exercise is wonderful for releasing tension in the spine and will help improve your posture. Stand against a wall, with your heels approximately one inch from the wall, toes pointing outwards. Stand tall and keep your chin up as you slowly lean forward and roll down towards the floor, one vertebrate at a time. Your arms and neck should feel as if they are dangling, and the only part of your body that should be touching the wall is your tailbone. Do not make sudden or jerky movements, but rather roll down in a slow, controlled manner. Once you have rolled down as far as you can comfortably go, roll back up, one vertebrate at a time. Perform three sets.