It’s a force to be reckoned with.

Gravity is what holds Earth in orbit around the sun and keeps us from floating off into space. Unfortunately, it can — quite literally — be a real downer.

The constant pull of gravity compresses our spine, loads our joints and requires our muscles to work harder to keep us upright.

It’s easy to slip into poor posture, especially in the era of smartphones. Hunching, slouching and slumping can cause muscle imbalances, resulting in pain, joint issues and decreased mobility over time.

And gravity doesn’t just influence posture. It also affects digestion, mood and overall health, so much so that biogravitational medicine has become a buzzy area of research.

That’s why Dr. Brennan Spiegel says you need to find your “gravity Goldilocks zone” — the sweet spot where your body, mind and habits are aligned with Earth’s pull.

“Too little gravity, like in space, causes bone loss, muscle wasting, circulation problems and gut issues,” Spiegel, author of the new book, “PULL: How Gravity Shapes Your Body, Steadies the Mind, and Guides Our Health,” told The Post.

“Too much lying flat, like in a hospital bed, also harms digestion and blood flow.”

To find this perfect balance of posture, activity and recovery, Spiegel recommends taking stock of your body’s response to gravity.

Ask yourself if you feel more energized using a standing desk instead of sitting down. Does a wedge pillow reduce your nighttime reflux? Do yoga inversions or core exercises improve your digestion?

“Paying attention to these signals helps identify your personal balance point,” explained Spiegel, a UCLA professor and Cedars-Sinai’s director of Health Services Research.

“In my new book, ‘PULL,’ I discuss over 50 ways to align your body with gravity to meet the needs of your unique body and mind.”

These techniques help keep you upright, invigorated, resilient and ready to tackle daily tasks.

It may mean getting a standing desk, exercising more, addressing sleep issues, eating better, drinking more water and undergoing floatation therapy.

“It’s not just about comfort, but about thriving under gravity’s constant pull,” Spiegel said.

Identifying the Goldilocks zone could also make flying more pleasant.

Spiegel has floated the theory that the body’s struggle to manage gravity can contribute to symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, constipation and bloating.

Bloating can get really bad at 10,000 feet.

The phenomenon, known as “jet belly,” is primarily triggered by lower cabin pressure and less movement during a flight, causing gases in the body to expand.

“In ‘PULL,’ I dig deeper into jet belly, high-altitude trips, astronaut health in space and even diets designed for altitude,” Spiegel said.

“Gravity is always shaping us — whether in a plane cabin, on a mountaintop or in our own gut — and learning how to manage it opens new ways to care for both body and mind.”

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