How can good posture help protect my joints?

You don't have to walk around with a book on your head, but if you value your joints, do make an effort to stand up straight. Good posture protects the joints in your neck, back, hips and knees. Over time, gravity will make sure that slump shows up as joint problems.

Once you're used to standing and sitting up straight, your muscles will feel an overall ease in stress because they won't be in constant use to maintain an unsupported off-center body form. To get proper posture, pull your chin inward and pretend there is a string pulling straight up from the top of your head.