Jul31

Sitting at your Desk All Day – How’s your posture?

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Sitting at your Desk All Day – How’s your posture?

So you have a 9 to 5 desk job where you sit comfortably clicking your mouse away at an office with swivel chairs and air conditioning. Are you even aware that you’ve been sitting for a third of the day? Have you ever looked at anything else aside from your computer screen? Has your hand left that mouse and keyboard? If you do heavy computer work for a living, you should do a posture check every hour on the hour.

Stay conscious about your posture with these tips:

  • Practice neutral posture: According to the OSHA website the following should be considered when trying to maintain a neutral posture at work:
    • Hands, wrists, and forearms are straight, in-line and roughly parallel to the floor
    • Head is level or bent slightly forward, forward-facing, and balanced. Generally, it is in-line with the torso
    • Shoulders are relaxed and upper arms hang normally at the side of the body
    • Elbows stay in close to the body and are bent between 90 and 120 degrees
    • Feet are fully supported by the floor or a footrest may be used if the desk height is not adjustable
    • Back is fully supported with appropriate lumbar support when sitting vertical or leaning back slightly
    • Thighs and hips are supported by a well-padded seat and generally parallel to the floor
    • Knees are about the same height as the hips with the feet slightly forward
  • Look out for back and neck pain: they are signs of something else so watch out for them.
  • Have movement breaks: set an alarm to get off your chair and walk around (at least) every hour.
  • Use ergonomic supports: Build an ergonomic workspace with ergonomic supports. Your body will thank you for it. Get these two things on your wishlist asap:
    • An ergonomic chair: Poor sitting posture can cause a multitude of problems from pressure on your spine to something as complicated as cervical spondylosis. To avoid these problems, get an ergonomic chair. “An ergonomic chair is a chair designed to suit a range of people. It has adjustable parts that enhance maximum comfort during sitting. It aims in giving the correct support of your posture, weight and lumbar while sitting.”
    • An ergonomic mouse: If you work at a desk, you’re probably using a mouse and keyboard all the time. An ordinary mouse can put a strain on your forearm and can result in twisting wrist movements that can damage joints. An ergonomic mouse works on maintaining a natural body posture and is extremely efficient. Unlike a typical mouse, an ergonomic mouse is tailored to the health and comfort of the human user. Specifically, it is designed to minimize discomfort and prevent potential injuries (such as carpal tunnel syndrome and tendonitis).

Do you have any tips for improving posture? Share them with us in the comments below. Remember to stay humble and hustle hard!

Written by Jaie O. The Help

References:
http://www.safecomputingtips.com/what-is-an-ergonomic-chair/
https://www.techopedia.com/definition/2833/ergonomic-mouse http://www.safecomputingtips.com/best-ergonomic-mouse/ergonomic-mouse-mean/