Let’s talk about our joints! We know taking care of your joints is important as we grow older, so today we’ll talk about how to guard your joints against injury and keep them healthy through all those Zumba classes! That’s fun right? 😉

Let’s break it down, a joint is  the connection between two bones. Joints and their surrounding tissues are what enables you to bend at the knees and elbows, to shake your hips, to bend your back and reach for your toes, etc. A few different factors come into play when it comes to the health of your joints: age, injuries and even excess weight can all affect the stress placed on your joints. Excessive wear and tear on the cartilage can damage the joints and eventually lead to arthritis.

So…how can you protect yourself and your joints? Here are 3 quick tips you can start implementing anytime!

1. Get Strong
Getting stronger gives your joints a better foundation on which to rest. Strong muscles act as a support for your joints. Without sufficient amount of muscle, your joints will take a pounding. Weight training exercises help build muscle and keep your muscles and surrounding ligaments strong so that your joints don’t have to pick up all the slack.

2. Nourish Your Body
Some foods are particularly good for your joints- like dark, leafy vegetables, Omega-3 fatty acids (found in fish like salmon, eggs, nuts and seeds) and high antioxidant foods (like green tea, berries, etc). These foods can both prevent inflammation as well as assist in strengthening the connective tissues to both preserve your joints and prevent injuries.

3. Prioritize Posture
Standing and sitting up straight can protect the joints from your neck down to your knees. Good posture and proper spinal alignment is important not only for the health of your joints but it also can help you sleep and breathe better, alleviate tension in the neck and shoulders, and improve circulation and digestion.

Prioritizing posture involves teaching your body how to stand, walk, sit and lie in positions where the least strain is placed on the surrounding muscles and ligaments that support these positions.  Adding a yoga class into your weekly workouts is a great way to increase body awareness and improve posture. If you would like more tips on improving your posture, check out this article from SELF magazine.

Caring for your joints with these tips will help to keep them and your muscles, ligaments, and bones strong and stable both now and in the years to come! Which one of these tips will you be incorporating? Leave a comment and let us know!