According to collinsdictionary.com, the definition of slouch is a drooping or bending forward of the head and shoulders. Or, for an informal definition, a person who is incompetent. For example: when it comes to basketball, she’s no slouch. Now, I admit, I am a sloucher!
The first definition.
I tend to droop over. When I sit. When I stand. My posture leaves a lot to be desired.
Prefer to listen to Sloucher? Click the play button below.
When I Became a Sloucher
And I can tell you exactly when I became a sloucher.
We have to go back many years. Specifically to 1977 when I was in the 5th grade. I was just beginning to develop boobs. And, apparently, I was one of the first girls in the class to develop. One of the girls in my class felt the need to bring it to my attention saying, not very nicely, that I needed to wear a bra.
Oh the power of words! I was pretty embarrassed.
Nevertheless, I went home and told my mom. She took me to the store and, to add insult to injury, she measured me with a measuring tape in the middle of the store. Thankfully, over top of my blouse.
But, still! For a 5th grader, that can be traumatizing!
I Digress
And I’ll have you know, I must have started and stopped growing boobs all within the 5th grade because I don’t have much now as an adult! Sorry, I digress.
Anyways, here I am, 10 years old. Conscious of my growth spurt.
Yet, subconsciously, I am trying to hide this growth and protect myself from other people noticing. So, I hunched over and let my shoulders fall forward to hide my physical change.
My mom noticed this and would continuously poke me in the back, between my shoulder blades, telling me to stand up straight. Poke, poke!
It got so bad, that when I went to the pediatrician for a check-up, they thought I might need to wear a brace on my back, but it turned out I didn’t.
Gosh, that reminds me of the book I read at that age called, Deenie by Judy Blume. Did you read this growing up as well? It’s about a teenage girl that needs to wear a back brace because of spinal issues and tries to hide it.
That really hit home with me at the time.
Still A Sloucher
Fast forward to the here and now, and I’ve been really aware of my slouching. When I’m sitting down, I’m in the habit of not putting my lower back against the back of the seat. I always sit slumped over.
I’ve even noticed in photographs of me, I am slouched over. And I’m slouched over now as I type this article. I am a sloucher!
Then I wondered.
I have a laid back kind of personality, and have been told I’m very approachable. Is that because I’m slightly hunched over? Not stiff and erect in stature?
Oh gosh, I just reread my word choice in that sentence and I’m giggling to myself. Sounds kind of like a mature theme…but, it’s not!
Seriously, I was curious.
Are slouching and being laid-back related? When I searched this question on the internet, I was surprised!
There were quite a few studies out there. The studies were not about being laid-back per se, but rather extraverts and introverts and their posture. I was fascinated anyway. Who knew that posture and personality types could be correlated???
The Research
Here is what Somatic Movement Center writes – “Incredibly, spending just two minutes in a posture has immediate effects on the way we feel, our behavior, and even our hormone levels. Imagine the effects of spending a lifetime in a certain posture.“
Wow!
They continue that people with better posture were confident and outgoing.
Their muscles were more relaxed unlike those with poorer postures because “muscles have to actively work to keep us in an unnatural posture”.
Not to mention those people with bad posture (that’s me!) may eventually have back and neck pain.
In other studies, they mention better posture means better breathing, which means more oxygen to your bloodstream. Which is a good thing.
So, let me get this straight. If I change my posture for the better, not only will I help avoid back pain, but I’ll be more confident and feel good more often than not? Oh brother! That’s the kick in the rear I need to motivate me to sit up straight.
Sloucher Solutions
Now that I’ve done my research and I’m older and wiser (hopefully???) I’m ready for a change with my posture or sloucher solutions.
I know, I know, can you really teach an old dog new tricks, or habits in this case? Of course you can. You’re never too old to change your ways – thankfully.
So, here’s what I’ve been thinking I should try. Balancing a book on top of my head. Have you heard of this? That might work, but I just envision the book falling off my head and making a hard landing onto my toes. Ouch!
And, apparently, there are posture correctors. It sounds like it could be a torture device, but it’s more like a strap that wraps around your shoulders to help keep your core engaged and shoulders back. At this point, I am not purchasing that contraption.
So, I’ll opt out of those and do this instead. To make sure to stand up tall, as if a string is pulling me upwards from the top of my head. Engaging the core.
This is hard for me. And some days, I can almost visualize myself as the Hunchback of Notre Dame when I’m feeling extra slouchy (is that even a word? It is now!).
Because after years and years of slouching, I’m in a very bad habit, or is it laziness at this point, and my core is not strong! Hello, muffin top!!
Now each time I attempt to sit up straight, stand up tall, there is one really cool thing I’ve noticed, I look about 5 pounds lighter.
My gut isn’t protruding, it looks evenly distributed around my middle. That is a terrific benefit. And a super simple hack to look slimmer!
Announcement
So, everyone, I have an announcement! I have a new goal! To stop slouching! And since I am way past being embarrassed about my boobs and am old enough to realize I should be proud of my body with all its nooks and crannies. I say flaunt what you got! That means making a point to stand straight, with my shoulders back, boobs out, more often than not.
But, do me a favor. As I am no slouch at slouching, give me a gentle poke in the back if you notice me doing so.
Cheers!
Kathleen
Thoughts? Leave me a comment below.
I do tend to gently tell slouching pediatric patients during exams about the benefits in good posture and the disadvantages of bad posture. I never realized it could be because they may be trying to avoid attention to a physical feature. I’m sure they’ll slouch if they feel as though they are too tall as well. I attributed it always to an emotional reason. I’ve learned something today that I can consider when talking to kiddos. Thank you Kathleen!!
Thanks, Angela! Glad I could help with a new perspective on slouchers and the possible reasons for it.
Thanks for the great suggestions. I need them.
You’re very welcome, Jane.