Sitting in an office all day, working on a computer takes a real toll on your mind and body. Compared to older industries and manual work, we spend more and more time sitting down and our bodies are showing the strain. Back pain and muscle tension makes up the majority of complaints when it comes to illness from office work. It’s no surprise that we, as office workers, take so much time off sick and most likely cost companies millions – but it might not be our fault! By just following these simple tips, you can help reduce your aches and pains and be a more productive worker.
Make sure that you ask for a chair that can be adjusted. A poorly positioned chair will put extra strain on your back and cause tension in your shoulder muscles. Try to get one that can have the height, back rest position and tilt adjusted so you will be able to get the right setting. Try to adjust the chair to get your knees level with your hips and your forearms at right angles with your upper arms. When you are typing, try to keep your wrists straight and as flat as possible. If you are using a computer mouse, try to keep it as near to you as possible, avoiding stretching or obstacles that make it hard to use. You may find that a keyboard or mouse wrist rest will also be of some help. These soft, padded accessories will help reduce strain to your wrists and arms and help stop injuries like RSI. If you need to, try out a footrest under the desk too as this will provide better support for your legs. Your feet need to be flat on the floor and try not to cross your legs as this can cause problems with your hips or circulation.
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