Starting your day the right way can give your body a little boost as it prepares for the activity that’s ahead of it, Whether that be work or play. here are some tips:

When you get out of bed, greet the day with some stretching. There are lots of different stretches, but try this: stretch your arms above your head and hold for 10 seconds and feel your spine straighten out. Put your hands on your hips and rotate gently at the waist. Hold for 10 seconds to the right, and then 10 seconds to the left.

Think about your back during the day. For instance, when brushing your teeth or rinsing off a plate at the kitchen sink, don’t hunch over the sink. Maintain good posture and stand erect at the sink.

If you are a stay-at-home parent, we know that handling kids all day can twist you into all kinds of positions. If you’re picking up a child, particularly a squirming toddler, don’t bend at the waist. Bend your knees and lift with the strong muscles of your legs. Lifting from a bent-waist position puts all the strain on your lower back — and that’s a recipe for injury. You should use the same technique, by the way, for lifting any heavy or bulky object.

Finally, pinching a phone between your ear and shoulder is another way to put inordinate strain on the joints of the upper, or cervical, spine.

Talk with your chiropractor about other best practices so you can start your day right – and keep it that way.

Presented as a service to the community by: Union County Chiropractic Clinic, 110 Skyline Drive, Maynardville, TN (865) 992-7000 www.unioncountychiropractic.com.