Your posture is important and having good posture protects you from aches and pains and problems with your back and neck, especially if you spend a lot of time in a sedentary position. Mostly when we think about posture, we think about sitting at a desk, however how we sit when we are driving is also something to check as this can also cause issues if it is not right.
When we learn to drive, most of the information that we tend to learn is about what is happening outside of the vehicle – from road signs that we might see and what they mean, to markings on vehicles like these chevron kits, as well as driving in different conditions. However, the way that we are positioned when driving doesn’t only have an impact on how we drive but also on your health and mobility.
Here are some of the things that help you get your posture right when you are driving…
Legs – You firstly need to ensure that your legs can reach the pedal of the car comfortably, without you having to stretch too much, but you also don’t want to be sitting very close to them. Having a slight bend to the knee is about the perfect distance from the pedals of the car.
If you are having to stretch your legs too much or you are very close to the pedals, this can not only be problematic for your posture but also can have a detrimental effect on your driving.
Spine – Your spine is essential to the movement of your whole body so make sure that you protect it as much as possible. Make sure that the pressure is even on the whole of the spine and that you are straight, not leaning to one side or the other. Many modern car seats have good lumbar support in them, but if you need something extra you can get a lumbar support pillow to give you additional comfort.
Head – Your head needs to be against the headrest rather than leaning forward – this also helps you in the event of a crash. The back of the head should be touching the headrest when you are driving, so make sure that you adjust the headrest so that it is the right height for you.