To avoid putting stress on your lower back, stand tall with your feet shoulder-width apart, your chest up, and your stomach muscles tight. Bend your knees slightly to help keep your hips from rotating forward. Imagine a pole next to your body, and position your ears, shoulders, hips, and ankles so they line up with the pole.

It also helps to change positions from time to time. Sit down, if you can, or at least move around and shift your weight from one foot to the other.

To test your standing posture, stand with your back to a wall. Your head, shoulder blades, and buttocks should touch the wall, and your heels should be 5 to 10 cm (2 to 4 inches) away. Reach back and slide your hand, with the palm flat against the wall, behind the curve of your lower back. The space between your back and the wall should be about the same thickness as your hand. If there is more space, tighten your abdominal muscles to flatten the curve in your back. If there is less space, arch your back until your hand fits comfortably.

Walk away from the wall while holding this posture. Then return to the wall to see how well you have held it. Practicing this routine daily will help you achieve and maintain a healthy standing posture.

If you must stand a lot, be sure to wear shoes that provide good support and have heels that are no more than one inch high. If your circumstances allow, elevate one foot on a footrest and switch feet every half hour.