Poor driving posture is a compounding problem that you must rectify at the earliest

Poor driving posture is a compounding problem that you must rectify at the earliest  10th March 2023

Poor posture is the new smoking. It affects almost everyone around the globe, but it is not nearly talked about as much as it should be. With rigorous commute time, there’s no doubt that the disastrous effects of poor posture while driving or travelling affect most people.

Bad posture can make a short ride uncomfortable and causes much more than a stiff neck in the long run. After years of this compounding problem, pressure on the spine results in slowly curving the spine, leading to Kyphosis. Kyphosis has many associated problems other than just aesthetic deformity. It leads to reduced shock absorption and imbalance and unyielding chronic pain. This makes you more prone to injuries and can put your life at risk.

Other factors, such as reduced metabolism leading to worse digestion and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, are matters of great concern. However, the good news is that poor driving posture gravely affects people only after an extended period, and you can fix it. The way we drive has a significant impact on our health and our car’s safety. Therefore, we recommend you buy car insurance online and health insurance to protect yourself and your vehicle from the financial strain of accidents and poor posture.

Additionally, read on to learn some tips to rectify poor driving posture.

How to rectify poor posture in a car?

It is tough to avoid poor posture in a car since they are usually cramped and made to provide temporary comfort but long-term damage. Lower and laid-back seats, along with tipped-back headrests, cause your hamstrings and neck muscles to get pulled and, as a result, cause pain.

Here are some things you can do to improve your driving posture.

1. Adjust your seat:
Most drivers make the seat low, which leaves their back unsupported and barely supports the thighs. Raising the seat higher will solve most of these problems and improve road visibility and prevent accidents. It will support your pelvis and thighs and put you in a neutral position to avoid slouching. Additionally, while sitting in a car seat, your tailbone should be propped up to the back of the seat, and you should rest against it to provide rest to your joints and muscles.

2. Stretch at regular intervals:
This tip is helpful during long road trips or if you regularly drive for long hours. Gently roll your shoulders, and stretch your arms and legs at stoplights to avoid them from going stiff due to gripping the steering wheel for too long. While stopping at rest stations, walk around, stretch, and get your body moving for the drive ahead.

3. Position your mirrors correctly:
Your rear and side-view mirrors should be adjusted appropriately to avoid additional strain on the neck. You should be able to see all the mirrors without changing your body’s position excessively.

4. Steer clear of keeping your arms above shoulder level:
This will prevent the build-up of strain on the arms and neck and relieve the pain you could get from your wrists and elbows.

5. Adjust your headrest:
Your headrest should touch the back of your head, such that the top of the headrest lies between the top of your ears and your head. This will prevent neck injuries in the case of collisions and give your head the perfect balance it needs while driving.

Proper positioning of the driver’s seat is necessary for visibility and safety. Additionally, it is also beneficial for the driver’s spinal health. It is a critical factor that all drivers should consider for a safe car ride and avoid health adversities due to bad posture. One must also choose to buy car insurance online that fits your needs perfectly and provides comprehensive coverage to prevent the financial costs due to vehicle accidents.

Click HERE to buy car insurance online.

Disclaimer: The information provided above is for illustrative purposes only. To get more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before purchasing a policy.