How to Stand Erect

Standing straight up is about more than pleasing your nagging mother. Correct posture helps your spine and vertebrae properly handle daily stresses such as walking. Your muscles have to work harder when you don't stand erect to compensate for your incorrect form, increasing the risk of injury, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Standing erect is easily achievable by following a few simple steps to increase your body awareness of proper positioning of your back, spine and shoulders.

Instructions

• 1

  Stand with your entire back pressed against a wall. Rest your head against the wall and relax your shoulders to connect your upper back with the wall. Place your heels a few inches from the wall to avoid forcing your lower spine into an awkward position.

• 2

  Pay attention to which muscles you engage while standing erect against the wall. Do this in front of a large mirror to see what standing properly erect looks like. Move away from the wall and relax your shoulders and back without returning to a slouching position.

• 3

  Stand in front of the mirror but away from the wall. Position your chin parallel to the floor and roll your shoulders back until they're on the same visual line as your ears. Focus on your body awareness and close your eyes if it helps you to concentrate on the muscles you're using while standing erect.

• 4

  Open your eyes and look in the mirror. Imagine a thread running from your tail bone through the top of your head and envision it pulling you upward. When standing erect, picture a single line that connects your neck, shoulders and upper back.