“Sit up straight!”
How many times have you heard this advice? Maybe you’ve invested in ergonomic chairs, lumbar supports, posture correctors—all the tools meant to help you maintain “proper alignment” throughout your workday.
Yet somehow, you still feel physically drained by afternoon. Your back still aches. Your neck still tightens. Your energy still plummets.
What if perfect posture isn’t the solution we’ve been led to believe? What if, sometimes, it’s actually part of the problem?
Here’s the surprising truth that ergonomics experts increasingly acknowledge: even ideal posture—when maintained too long—becomes its own source of fatigue.
The issue isn’t the position itself. It’s the static nature of any position held for extended periods. Your body wasn’t designed to maintain fixed postures, even “perfect” ones. It was designed for varied, dynamic movement.
When you force yourself to maintain textbook sitting posture for hours on end, you’re creating what physical therapists call “static loading”—the continuous engagement of the same muscle groups without relief. These muscles slowly fatigue without ever sending clear pain signals, gradually depleting your energy reserves.
Research from the University of Waterloo found that people who rigidly maintained “correct posture” actually experienced more discomfort over time than those who were allowed natural position variations. Their study concluded that micromovement—small, frequent changes in position—may be more important than achieving any single “correct” alignment.
The most revealing evidence comes from examining traditional cultures where chair, sitting isn’t the norm. These populations show significantly lower rates of back pain despite often engaging in physically demanding labor. The difference? Their relationship with gravity is dynamic rather than static. They naturally shift positions throughout the day rather than locking into one “correct” posture.
This doesn’t mean ergonomics aren’t important. Good workspace setup creates the foundation for comfortable movement. But the critical factor isn’t perfect positioning—it’s how often you vary your position.
Your body thrives on movement variability. Each position change, however slight, shifts which muscles are engaged, improves circulation to different areas, and sends fresh signals to your nervous system. This variability is what prevents the energy drain of static posture—even “good” posture.
The most effective approach isn’t striving for perfect posture all day. It’s creating deliberate, strategic movement patterns that give your body the variability it craves while still supporting your work.
Take Action Today
Your journey to better posture starts with a single decision: to pay attention to how you sit, stand, and move throughout your day. Start small, be consistent, and remember that every adjustment you make is an investment in your long-term health and wellbeing.
Your back, your neck, your energy levels, and your overall quality of life are all waiting for you to make that first move. The time to start is now.
Need a place to begin?
