Office Health Tips-Dos and Don’ts

Back pain and body aches are quite a nightmare when you are working in an office setting. When you are stressed out, aching, and trying to work at the same time, chances are you will be not be very productive. Let’s face it, no one enjoys joint aches and back pains especially at work. It is absolutely the worst timing when you have deadlines to meet and you are unable to concentrate because you are so uncomfortable. One huge factor that is linked to the discomfort and pain office workers experience is their office chair. Normal office chairs are very lacking in that it offers little to no back support which explains why office workers may experience discomfort. Practice sitting up straight and avoid slumping your body over forwards as this can really take a toll on your back. Using a chair with proper back support can also help with this. Without proper support of the back, you may experience aches and pains over time. Slouching puts a lot of stress on your back muscles and can affect you posture. Invest in an ergonomic desk chair to overcome slouching in order to have better posture and eliminate body aches. Here are some office health dos and don’ts:

DO…

• Support your arms with your armrest when typing to prevent straining your arm and lower back muscles.
• Do adjust your seat every so often to find the perfect position for you. This will help to decrease the strain your muscles.
• Support your neck especially when you are working long hours in the office. Improper neck support translates to back pains and can affect the shoulders.
• Take breaks to let your body rest. Perhaps take a restroom break, stretch, or take a small walk to loosen up your muscles.
• Sit up straight with arm rested on your table or armrest to have proper support.
• Invest in a small pillow if necessary to sit on or rest your back on when you get tired.
• Rest both feet on the ground to get more support. This will help your whole body get the support it needs.

DON’TS…

• Avoid cradling your phone between your shoulders and neck. This can easily strain the muscles in your neck as you are angling your neck in a certain for a period of time. If you are constantly doing this at work, you may experience back pains as well as body aches.
• Do not slouch especially if you are working in the office for long hours. This can really strain your back, neck, as well as shoulders. You may not notice it immediately but with time, you will definitely feel the aches coming.
• Avoid crossing your legs because this decreases circulation to your legs which can cause you to feel tired or fatigued very quickly.
• Do not lean over to type because this can cause stress on your shoulders. Instead, use your armrest to support your arms when typing.
• Sit for long hours without moving. This is really bad for the circulation in your body which is why you may feel tired and sore.