Posture propaganda I’m not falling for (part 6):
❌ “Working lunches” at my computer desk
❌ Lifting too heavy weights
❌ Excessive reps in the gym
❌ Shallow breathing
I sat at a computer with poor posture for a decade.
What actually matters to me is:
✅ Intentional ergonomics
✅ Sleeping on a grounding sheet
✅ Hot Sauna / Cool plunge
✅ Chiropractic and soft tissue work
✅ Minimizing stress
✅ Eliminating toxic people from my circle
✅ Nasal breathing much more often
✅ Strengthening glutes and hips
✅ Doing new stretches I’ve never tried before
Sitting at a computer for long periods of time broke me, physically and mentally.
I’ve fixed my chronic pain and excessive muscle tension.
I’ve done the hard part.
And I enjoy laying it out for other to learn from.
The easy part?
Show up with an open-mind and consistent effort.
I’ll do my best to help you avoid the mistakes I made.
Computer Posture Propaganda That I’m Not Falling For
Instead of these popular propagandas, here’s what I do instead:
“Working lunches” at my computer desk
This used to demolish my afternoon productivity. Companies think that buying us lunch, so we can eat at our desk while we work, would give us one more hour of productivity. But it would only make me less efficient during the 4 hours in the afternoon.
Lifting too heavy weights
Now in my late forties, I’m taking a much more intentional approach to lifting weights. I want to feel strong, pain-free, and energetic the day after a workout. Not broken and sore. I still challenge myself to lift somewhat heavy. But I do not ever sacrifice form. As soon as my form suffers, I know the weight is too heavy for me.
Excessive reps in the gym
The instant gratification of my muscles burning used to feel really good. Like I was really accomplishing something. Which I definitely was, back then. But at this point in life, excessive reps are a liability for me. They just seem to add to my current muscle tension. Compared to lifting heavier and less reps, which tends to help me break free and grow more muscle. Less reps and heavier weight is much more productive for me now, as long as I maintain good form.
Shallow breathing
I’ve read books and taken classes on breathwork.
I can sum up the most important things I’ve learned by saying:
– I need to increase the amount of air that goes in my lungs.
– I also need to increase the amount of time that air spends in my lungs.
– Which meant I needed to breathe slower and deeper.
– Ironically, this meant I’d be taking less breaths.
– To do this, I breathe less through my mouth.
– Instead, I breathe through my nose as much as possible, both on the inhale and exhale.
Taping my mouth closed during sleeping has been a huge help in getting me away from being a chronic mouth breather.
Which of the above “ ❌ propagandas” gets you the most heated? Let me know here.
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Thanks for your interest in computer posture.
Todd Bowen — Computer Posture Correction and Pain-Free Ergonomics: For Office Workers Who Want to Increase Work Productivity