This will also make it impossible for you to lean too far back if you’re in a chair, since your tailbone will be directly underneath your spine. Don’t worry if this feels a little goofy at first. Many people naturally develop poor posture over the years, but it’s nothing some good habits can’t change. You’ll get used to this over time. The term “straight spine” is a little misleading, since you have some natural curvature in your back. You know that your spine is straight if your shoulders are directly over your hips and your back is firm and upright.
If you’ve got a cushion on the top of your chair, use it as a headrest to keep your head still.
Resting your elbows on a table or armchair will make this easier to do over a longer period of time. Otherwise, you can rest your elbows against your sides and bring the book a little closer to your eyes than you normally would. If you prefer to use an e-reader, opt for a lightweight model to make it easier to hold up in front of you.
Recliners are great for maintaining good posture—especially if they have a footrest. Tilting your spine back 15-30 degrees while keeping your knees at a 90-degree angle is a great way to ensure that your spine stays straight. It tends to be a little harder to hold a book up in one of these chairs, though. While it may seem counterintuitive, a straight-backed chair is actually better for your posture than a soft sofa. You can still put a cushion on the straight-backed chair to make it more comfortable if you’d like. If you’re reading in bed, prop yourself up against the headrest or wall with a pillow behind your back for more support. [7] X Research source
There are plenty of cheap options for e-reader stands and using one will keep your arms from getting tired from holding the e-reader up. When your arms get tired, you’re bound to lower them eventually which will cause you to tilt your head down.
If you’re using a digital e-reader or laptop, make the brightness of the screen lower than the brightest light in the room. It’s relatively difficult for your eyes to focus on a bright digital screen against a dim background. If the digital screen is the brightest source of light in the room, it will strain your eyes and lead to headaches or eye pain. [11] X Research source
You can use a small pillow instead of a towel if you prefer. You’re not harming your posture by adding a cushion or towel. If you’re comfortable, it’s a good sign that your posture is correct! Giving the lower back additional cushioning is a great way to make sure you aren’t leaning forward or back as well, since you’ll be able to feel the towel sliding down if you lean forward, or compressing against the chair if you lean back.
Jumping jacks are a great simple way to work your body out for a minute or two. Stretch your arms, roll your neck around the stretch the muscles out, and bend over to touch your toes. You don’t need a full workout or stretching session; a few simple stretches will do the tricks just fine
