Five Wellness Tips In between your visits to our office, there are lots of things you can do to keep your body - especially your back - healthy. If this sounds familiar-well, we've been talking to your mother. Just so happens she was right: Sit up straight. Develop the habit of good posture. It makes a world of difference in the way your back feels. Eat your vegetables. A good diet is vital to your overall health. All those nutrients help your body repair itself. And you want to keep your weight down. Carrying extra weight puts extra strain on the back. Turn off the TV. Get up and move. Go for a walk. Add exercise to your regular routine. And when you have to sit for long periods, stretch regularly. Put that down. Don't lift things that are too heavy for you. (And if you have to, lift with your legs, not your back.) Don't carry around a heavy backpack or a heavy bag if you can avoid it. The key is to minimize. Only take what you really need. Go to sleep. Sleep is essential for your well being. Just don't sleep on your stomach, which can strain the muscles in your neck and back. Practice sleeping on your side or back.