“our rib cage is meant to move with every inhale and exhale,” explains egbogah. “when this motion is impaired by a too-tight bra band, we don’t breathe properly or take in enough oxygen. when this happens, a message is sent back to the brain telling you to breathe faster with shallower breaths, which can leave you in an anxious state.”
“bra straps can also cut into the top of the shoulders and cause you to hunch over if they aren’t supportive enough, she adds.
as a rule, if your bra band feels too constrictive, you can try bra extenders to add comfort and ease. and, of course, if your weight has fluctuated or you’re just not sure if you’re wearing the right size, it’s worth getting professionally measured. all you might need is a change in band or cup size.
“the same way you feel less stable in a stiletto and more balanced in a chunky heel, there is more stability in your neck and back when you wear a thicker bra strap rather than a spaghetti strap,” says egbogah, who adds one especially tell-tale sign: “if you have marks on your shoulders at the end of the day, you may want to look for a different bra.”
ties that bind
ties, too, can be troublesome. in fact, a tight tie can put you at risk of blindness due to a rise in pressure in the body, according to
a 2013 study
, which can put you at a higher risk of glaucoma. it can also
lead to a reduction in blood flow to the brain
.