How to improve your posture with a few tips and tools

Proper standing posture consists of:

1. Head upright and centered, chin parallel to the floor
2. Shoulders pulled gently back
3. Stomach slightly drawn in
4. Knees unlocked
5. Feet shoulder width apart
6. Weight centered on feet

When you are sitting in a chair, you should do it like this:

1. Head upright, chin parallel to the floor
2. Back straight with natural curve (rolled magazine should be able to slide between mid-back and chair)
3. Shoulders pulled back
4. Knees bent at right angle
5. Feet flat on the floor

OK, so now you know basically how you should position your body when standing and seated. But how can you remember to maintain good posture after years of living life slightly slumped?

First, establish what proper posture feels like.

For good standing posture, position your heels against a wall, then stand up straight and let your shoulders and the back of your head gently make contact with it. There, that's standing up straight.

For a seated posture baseline, put your butt against the back of the chair, touch your shoulders to the chair's back, level your chin with the ground, get those legs bent to 90 degrees, feet flat, and then make sure you can slide a rolled magazine or small towel behind your back. Good.

Next, make a posture mantra.

Come up with a simple phrase you think to yourself every time you stand up or sit down. Something like: "Standing up, straighten up" or "Sitting down, feet on the ground."

If remembering to have good posture isn't working, don't worry, there are gadgets and gizmos that can help you.

When properly adjusted, a posture corrector is perfectly comfortable as long as you are exhibiting good posture, and will gently tug against you when you start to slouch.

Corrector braces fit around your shoulders and across the back, exerting a bit of force that will hold you in the right position and over time retrain your body.

Buy the Yosoo Health Gear Back Posture Corrector on Amazon for $12.99 to $19.99 Buy the Aroamas Posture Corrector Clavicle Support Adjustable Brace on Amazon for $19.98 Buy the Tuboot Back Brace Posture Corrector on Amazon for $29.50

Whether used at your desk, in the car, or anywhere you'll be seated for a while, a lumbar pillow offers more comfort and support for your lower back as well as enhanced posture, by helping maintain a slight curve to your spine and an upright position.

Buy the Everlasting Comfort Back Cushion on Amazon for $24.95 (originally $29.95) Buy the Vertteo Full Lumbar Support Memory Foam Pillow on Amazon for $36.90 (originally $59)

It's the 21st century, why not let technology help your posture problems? The Upright GO Posture Trainer and Corrector consists of a small device that you place right between your shoulders with an adhesive patch. When it detects you slouching, it vibrates, reminding you to sit or stand up straight.

By pairing with an app, the Upright GO lets you track your progress over time. And apparently, 80% of people who use it reported significant and lasting posture improvement starting within just two weeks.

Buy the Upright GO Posture Trainer and Corrector Back on Amazon for $74.95 (originally $79.95)