Your posture can make you anxious

Hello from Malaga!

I hope to take a break from work and completely switch off sometime soon. Currently, I'm working 6-8 hours daily and plan to decrease my workload by about 50%. It's time to give my brain some rest. (I currently also spend 2 hours per day studying.)

My wife and I recently talked about how fortunate we are to be in a position where our kids can play at the beach while we manage our businesses.

But it wasn’t always like this. In 2020, with a baby on the way, I lost my job as a corporate wellness coach and was on the verge of bankruptcy. I even traveled to Mumbai after being called by a VVIP. The project got canceled weeks later due to COVID, and four years later, after almost breaking a few times, well, we are here.

One last thing, spending this month by the beach, I see many people in their bathing suits. It's almost as if some bodies are on the verge of breaking. These physical deformations are some hidden dangers of the 21st century.

In 2020, low back pain (LBP) affected 619 million people globally, and it's estimated that this number will increase to 843 million by 2050.

P.S. I don’t want you to be one of them, so let's dive in.

The Strategy: Improve your posture and prevent back pain

When you feel scared or stressed, your body gets ready to fight or flight. This happens because a part of your brain switches on when it senses danger.

But guess what? This switch can also turn on if you have bad posture, like slouching with your shoulders forward and your head down.

Even though you're not really in danger, your brain thinks you are because of your body position. So, bad posture isn't just about how you look – it can make your body feel like it's in trouble when it's not.

Typically, the human head weighs about 10-12 pounds. But as it leans forward from its neutral position, every inch of movement adds approximately 10 extra pounds in perceived weight.

I see two main problems that this creates:

1. Oxygenation

   When your shoulders are hunched forward and tight, your body can't take in as much air. This happens because your rib cage can't expand properly, so you get less oxygen. Cells, especially nerve cells, need oxygen to work well. If they don't get enough, they can't do their job properly, making your brain feel foggy and causing fatigue. Some people might even have trouble catching their breath.
   

2. Musculoskeletal Pain

   When your shoulders are slouched forward and your head is jutting out, your body tries to balance itself by curving your lower back more. This puts extra pressure on your lower back to keep you upright, which can lead to lower back pain.

The Tactic: Implement the R&M (Release & Mobilise) approach

Release the muscles that are tight:

• Upper Trapezius

• Hamstrings

• Hip Flexors

• Pecs

Mobilize the joints that are inactive:

• Thoracic Spine (Mid-Back)

• Cervical Spine (Neck)

• Shoulder Joints

• Hip Joints

The Habit: Practice these routines

→ Imperfect action > No action
→ Consistency > Intensity
→ Frequency > Duration

Executive of the week, Martin, SVP Banking

How did we do this?

1. We performed an extensive 5-point audit (see below).

2. We focused on his range of motion and posture at work.

3. We aimed to optimize his metabolism and increase food volume.

That’s it for today,

Until next week,

Become an asset, not a liability, to those around you.

P.S. The last two slots for a September start are available for executives who want to work directly with me. We will fix your health markers, optimize your hormones, and improve your body composition—all in a way that fits your busy lifestyle. Click here to apply and book a free introductory call with me.