Do you get to the end of work and feel tired and achey? Do you constantly feel tight, have a sore neck or back, get headaches? It might be time to re-assess your posture at work!
We often speak a lot about having good posture but when we are busy at work it really isn’t the most important thing we think about! What we do think about is how busy we are, how much work we have to do and what errands we have to do when we get finished.
Good posture at work is all about everyone’s favourite buzz work – ergonomics. Good work ergonomics has the ability to reduce stress and strain on our body, reducing fatigue and keeping us energised and focused! Good work ergonomics doesn’t mean you have to have some fancy chair and a futuristic desk that transforms shapes every day. No, good work ergonomics means ensuring that your desk set up is efficient for its uses and reduces strain patterns in your body.
If you spend 8 hours a day, or 40 hours a week, with shoulders hunched over, slumped in a chair, or straining to look up at a computer screen imagine how this would impact your body in one week, or even one year! From muscle strain in your neck and back, to compression of your ribs and diaphragm affecting your bodies overall functioning, posture has a major effect on the body as a unit. If you’re finding your getting stiff and sore with work, there are a few things you can do to help!
Desk Set Up –
- Check your set up every day!
- Make sure the back of your chair supports your whole spine and allows it to sit comfortably in its natural curves
- Allow your feet to rest flat on the ground
- Computer screen should be at least arm lengths away from your eyes and where possible raised to eye level
- Be able to rest your arms and wrist comfortably on your desk, with regularly used items centrally located and easy to grabStay Active
Throughout the Day –
- Take breaks from your desk every 45-60mins – get up and take a quick walk around the office (or lounge room now!), get a cup of tea or glass of water
- Stretch out your sore spots. Some really easy stretches can be done without having to even leave your desk!
- Still take your lunch break and use that time to get in some activity! A walk around the block, playing in the backyard with the dog or even an online yoga session can help refresh you for the afternoon & reduce the overall strain on your body.
Get A Helping Hand –
If you’re finding that stretching at home isn’t enough, you start experiencing different or new pain, or your discomfort worsens book in with one of the team at BodyLab Health for a full assessment and further guidance on what is best for your body!