Are you at the mercy of all your STUFF?
You know, the computer you carry to work, the toothbrush/toothpaste you carry in your purse, the just-in-case trousers you throw in your suitcase at the last minute.
Material items, valuables or crap (as I like to call it) tend to take us over! We have learned that it is almost impossible to be without the materials that we use to accomplish tasks like, say, write this post for example :) So, we inevitably lug it around with us everywhere we go.
Home to office, office to bar, bar to dinner then back home again, that's a lot of travel, a lot of head ache and a lot of pressure on your back!
What is your mode of junk transport? And have you considered what it is doing to your body!?
- Backpack
Ahh, the greatest invention since the wheel. The bookbag has come a long way from its origins as a method of transfer for books of school aged children. They now have those that house laptops, cameras and even beverages!
Even though they tick the functionality box, backpacks can be extremely compressive on the spine. Furthermore, they can alter the mechanics of the shoulders by forcing the wearer to round them forward in order to bear the weight.
Quick fix: Next time you're shopping for a backpack, make sure to get the ones that have the dorky chest and hip straps. Now for the kicker: USE THEM! They will help you to distribute the weight through your back so your shoulders aren't so sore at the end of your journey! - Messenger Bags
I remember when these things were all the rage. With these, the weight is distributed diagonally across your body, and if you're holding something heavy, this lends to extremely distorted postures!
Quick Fix: It may seem obvious, but just be diligent about switching the sides the bag hangs on frequently and it can save you a lot of headache! - Purses
Ladies, I like bags with the rest of ya, but there is really no need for it to be the size of my closet. I mean seriously, what the heck do you put in those things!? I'm really curious. Seriously.
Quick Fix: Simple. Get a smaller bag,
Dear friends--quick note to let you know that we are off to Beirut today for the long weekend, unsure I will be able to hit the internet tomorrow for a post, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed! If not, I hope everyone has a fun and safe Memorial Day!!
What bags give you grief and what do you do about it!? Do you notice your postural changes due to your bags?
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11 comments:
Great ideas. I wear backpacks from time to time but not all the time. I want to get back into hiking and I know backpacks are important in hiking.
I totally hosed my posture years ago lugging a heavy camera bag for work. It's been years since I've had to carry it, and digitals weigh next-to-nothing now, but sometimes I still feel it in my shoulders.
I rarely carry anything heavier than a purse these days, and said purse isn't very heavy.
I'll definitely go with hip straps next time I have to be weighted down.
I love the header Rupal!
So...as often as I can, I bike to work. And when I do, I carry a backpack. Including a notebook computer in there. It does get to be a lot of pressure on my back...hmmm...maybe the strap across the middle is a good idea. And, I'm in need of a new one anyway, as the one I have is starting to fall apart. Good time to plan "right" I guess!
Although it's always felt heavy, I've never thought about if it might be doing damage in some way. Good stuff!!
When I was in high school I used to carry EVERYTHING in my bag. All the books for all my classes, so I never forgot anything :D As a result, my bag weighed about 10-12 kgs. Maybe that's why I don't have such great posture? :D
Have a good time in Beirut! (I don't even know where that is! :D)
Ah yes, the 17 inch laptop that I used to lug to uni! I wish I had bought a back pack bag instead of over the shoulder. Other than that I have a hiking pack that gets a fair bit of use and I always use the hip straps - it's such a clever piece of equipement!
Im always a backpack.
when forced Ill jazz it up a bit (leather from ripped nylon :)) but purses? all the weight on one shoulder? not my thing :)
and WOW talk about a place for a long weekend----details please when youre back.
I love my big over sized purses. Probably as big as me.
Can't wait to hear about your weekend trip!
And I've spent my life lugging around heavy backpacks and, unfortunately, have the hunched-over droopy shoulders to prove it.
I like to carry as little as possible- makes life all-around easier! I've got a small purse but when I'm carrying bigger things I've got a shoulder bag. I switch sides a lot... especially if I'm out in the sun wearing tank tops, because having a sunburn/tan with a gigantic white line across one shoulder where the strap always is looks pretty funny.
Herbalife-- I wish we didn't need so much stuff!!
Leah-- great! Our bodies just weren't designed for extra weight!
Lance-- biking to work is great! Def look into the extra straps with your next backpack!
FLG-- I did the same thing for so many years..and for some reason, I needed EVERything in school! Argh!
Springgirl-- it sure is!
Carla-- details coming soon!
kristi-- so many of us do now-a-days!
Crabby-- ahh, I feel like all my hard work goes down the drain with one backpack experience, i hate it!
Sagan-- I totally agree, I carry as less as possible..usually nothing but a wallet.
~rupal
When I threw away my briefcase and started carring a packpack, it changed my life, or my life had changed and and that's why I did it. Either way, it was a milestone I remember fondly!
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