Every action you take in your daily and every day life has an effect on your back. If you notice that any action has a tendency to increase your back pain then you would naturally do it either less often or learn a better way of doing it. If you are fortunate enough not to suffer from back pain than you would want to keep it that way. In either case, you should learn how to sit, walk, lift, play or sleep properly to avoid back pain now or in future.
As for as lifting goes, there are some really easy rules to remember. Always bend your knees and from a squatting position lift the item. Make sure that your back is straight as possible and the item you are lifting is held as close to your body as possible. Lifting is one of the most frequently reported causes of back pain, and still the most ignored. If you are trying to move some thing that is heavy then always push it from behind the object so that both you and the movement of the object are in the same direction. Never pull if from the front.
Wear flat shoes if you can. If you must wear heels then try the heel not to exceed one inch. High heels cause imbalance of the body and cause strain in the back, which leads to back pain. Never sit in the position for extended periods. If your job requires you to sit in front of a computer screen than take regular breaks to stretch. The same rule goes when driving over long or extended periods. Remember, you do not have to do strenuous exercises to stay fit. Light but regular exercise is effective and can keep pain away a well.
Most people do not give much attention to how they sit, stand or even sleep. This can often be a cause of back pain. Always sleep on a firm mattress. If you are not in a position to replace the mattress than put a board under the mattress, which will make it firm. Never sleep on your stomach. If there is a reason for that then place a pillow under your hips. Experts recommend sleeping sideways with your knees bent slightly. A pillow under your head provides neck support.
If you have to sit for extended periods of time, get a chair with lower back support. You should at least get a chair that will keep your back straight. If you need to turn towards some one (for example when some one is trying to get your attention) then try to turn the whole body towards the person rather than just turning the head. When driving long distances, you have to sit upright all this time. In addition to taking regular breaks for stretching, put a pillow or a towel behind your back for extra support. This will avoid back strain. Follow these simple rules and you will avoid back pain in the long run.