Sitting in an office chair all day can be physically and mentally exhausting and if you’re sat there slouching over your desk, it can have an effect on your posture. Not sitting correctly in your chair can lead to neck, back and hip problems that can lead to a decline in your productivity at work. If you’re at your desk for the majority of the day, it can be difficult to remain in the right posture all day. You need to be more aware of how you sit and Furniture At Work have created an infographic that looks at the best ways to improve your posture.
Set up your desk correctly
Having the right set up at your desk is vital for improving your posture in the workplace. Ensure that your monitor is at an arm’s length away and at eye level. Your keyboard needs to be directly in front of you with a gap of about 4-6 inches in order for you to rest your wrist. Consider using a mouse mat with wrist support to reduce the risk of discomfort.
Adjust your seat accordingly
If working in an office it’s ideal to have a chair that can be adjusted in height, back and tilt to support your lower back. To sit correctly in your chair, both feet need to be flat on the floor. Some people may find this uncomfortable, so perhaps prop them up using a footrest. Make sure your shoulders are back, your abdomen is pulled in and your back is straight.
Take appropriate breaks
It’s important to take breaks away from your desk throughout the day, even if you have an ergonomic chair. Sitting at your desk all day can cause headaches, sore eyes and visual/postural fatigue. Therefore it’s recommended to take breaks to change your posture and give your eyes a rest.
Exercise at your desk
If you find yourself suffering with back or neck pain from how you’ve been sat at work, remember that there are certain exercises you can do to improve your posture. Exercises like seated spinal rotation can help stretch out your whole spine, or shoulder posture shrugs can help relieve neck and shoulder tension.
These simple tips can help improve your posture at work. If you have any tips of your own that you’d like to share, we’d love to hear them. Share them by using the hashtag #WorkplacePosture.
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