Get Better Posture With These 5 Tech Tools

If you’re sitting at a desk reading this article, stop for a second. How’s your posture? Shoulders rolled back and core engaged? Didn’t think so.

Most Americans with office jobs spend the majority of each workday sitting at their desks. But while each morning might begin with good intentions and proper ergonomic alignment, hours of desk time can eventually result in poor posture that can lead to real health issues.

Growing up, we’re often told to sit up straight, but normal spine alignment isn’t actually straight at all. The spine includes three natural curves: the cervical, thoracic and lumbar. When incorrect posture exaggerates the natural shape of your spine, making the curves too big or too small, it can lead to problems.

Beyond altering a person’s appearance, chronically poor posture can lead to spinal deformities, cause stress, cut off circulation, and lead to pain in the head, neck and back. Researchers from the University of Leeds discovered a link between poor posture, painful neck muscles and high blood pressure — when neck muscles are strained, the cells responsible for sending signals to the brain for adequate blood supply don’t function as well.

Slouching also puts pressure on the stomach, which can lead to gas and bloating, and it compresses the lungs, which can cause respiratory problems, especially in people with asthma.

There are plenty of ways to combat the negative effects of poor posture: Use an ergonomic office chair, take frequent stretch breaks, periodically shift your position, and exercise your core and back outside of the office. But even with all that effort, it can be easy to slip into a slouch by late afternoon.

If efforts to improve your posture on your own haven’t been successful, technology may be able to offer a solution. The automated reminders that these apps and gadgets provide can help you stay aware of your posture and avoid some of the aches and pains associated with chronic slouching. Here are a few tech solutions that may help:

What it is: Lumo Lift is a small, magnetic device that you wear on your shoulder. It tracks your posture and activity, coaching you to sit and stand tall by gently vibrating whenever you’ve been sitting with bad posture for too long.
Price: $79.99 to $94.99

What it is: The UpRight device sticks to your lower back with a hypoallergenic adhesive and delivers a gentle vibration when posture slips. It’s designed to be worn for 15 minutes to one hour per day to train your muscles.
Price: $129.95

What it is: MacBreakZ is a posture-building app that offers two programs: prevention and recovery mode. Prevention mode demonstrates and prompts stretches to reduce muscle tension and promote good posture, and then prompts you to take a short break. Recovery mode is for users already experiencing neck and back pain, worsening vision, or poor circulation. It prompts users to take periodic 10-minute breaks.
Price: Free trial; $24.95 for full access

What it is: Posture Man Pat uses the Y-axis of your Apple computer’s webcam to monitor head height. If you start slouching, the app sends an alert by either dimming the screen, sounding a bell, or both.
Price: Free

What it is: Prana is a wearable device that clips into your waistband and tracks diaphragmatic breathing and breath patterns, posture, and more, distinguishing between chest and belly breathing, and sending occasional push alerts to remind you to breathe or sit better.
Price: Indiegogo supporters receive the complete Prana package for $99

Looking for more tech to hack your health? Check out these apps for anxiety and guided meditation.