WHAT ABOUT THIS?: Increase Attention, Concentration and School Performance with Posture Feedback

Slouching (looking down while rounding the back) is the predominant postural position of people looking at cellphones and working on laptops. This position affects mood, breathing, visual awareness, and energy level. When students implemented posture awareness for 4 weeks and wore a posture feedback device for 3 weeks, they reported an increase in attention, confidence, concentration, and school performance. The wearable feedback device helped students identify situations that evoke slouching and implement changes to counter the slouching. One 22-year-old male student offered the following: “When I sit with good posture on my computer, I am significantly more engaged in what I’m doing. When I slouch on my computer I tend to procrastinate, go on my phone, and get distracted so it ends up taking much longer to do my work when my posture is bad.… I have ADHD and I struggle a lot with my mind wandering when I should be paying attention. Having good posture really helps me to lock in and focus.” To enhance the well-being of all students, we recommend offering a 4-week self-practice module that incorporates wearable posture feedback.