Poor posture can cause a multitude of problems starting with giving you the dreaded “slouchy look”. In addition, it adds unnecessary stress to your joints and muscles, leading to fatigue and chronic pain depending on which part of your body your poor posture is hurting the most. Hence, musculoskeletal disorders are a growing concern among people who have spent their life at a desk job.
Poor workplace posture (posture on the job) is a major cause of back pain, workplace stress, and can lead to repetitive strain injuries, like carpal tunnel syndrome. This can result in poor employee health and low morale which will ultimately lead to reduced productivity, lost time, and higher business costs, not to mention costly insurance claims or workman’s comp claims.
Some of the most common problems born out of bad posture are:
- Poor circulation-Sitting in the same position for hours does not give your body the movement and activity it needs to maintain good circulation. It might end up causing issues like varicose veins. Research also reveals that sitting in the same position for long periods of time can be as harmful to the body as smoking one and a half pack of cigarettes a day!
- Back, neck and shoulder pain- You are probably already having this and have decided to ignore it. Back, neck and shoulder pain are the most common workplace issues faced by employees and has been normalized to a degree that it is no longer seen as a health hazard. Well, we couldn’t have been more misguided. It could not only throw your spine out of alignment but cause chronic pain long after you’ve stopped working.
- Diminished lung function- While being engrossed in work, take a moment to think about your posture. Are you leaning forward? Most people tend to lean forward and work, especially if the work they are doing demands great concentration. However, by leaning forward and hunching, you are not letting your lungs function to their full potential bringing the productivity of your mind and body down by at least 30%.
- Digestive issues- You might see this as unrelated, but posture affects your digestion greatly. Bad posture means compressing your digestive tract and not allowing for the digestive system to go by its usual metabolism, leading to heartburn, slow digestion, and nutrition deficiency. You might be eating a very nutritious meal, but is your body really absorbing it?
These are just the most common problems that have emerged. A bad posture could be affecting you in ways we may never know until a symptom develops later. Bad posture on the job can cause sick days down the road!
Taking breaks at regular intervals, taking a walk around the neighborhood, figuring out the right working infrastructure for you in terms of the height of your table and the design of your chair, stretching occasionally are some ways to begin fixing the problem.
Offices and HR should also take in cognizance of the health of their employees and invest in ergonomics or the science of designing workplaces that boost efficiency and employee’s well-being. It would be beneficial for HR to incorporate Fitworks Perfect Posture® Maintain the Balance program for all their employees! To invest in your employees is to invest in your company!
Now that we all know how important it is to have a good posture on the job, it would be helpful to identify several ways on how to improve your posture.
#1 Evaluate yourself and the current posture that you have. It’s imperative to get to see first how you hold yourself. Look in the mirror and check if you seem to be hunching or slouching. You can ask an expert to learn more about how to correct your posture if there’s an issue by calling or texting Fitworks Perfect Posture® at 407-408-7588.
#2 Always try to sit properly. Most of us develop a poor posture because of the way we sit. When we sit improperly on our chair, then we are putting pressure on either the pubic bone or the tailbone. It’s also crucial to find the correct balance by keeping your feet flat on the floor, put your weight on the center, and your back straight. To avoid having pains on your lower back, you should have support. This is crucial, especially if you spend long hours of work while sitting in your chair. Have your computer monitor placed so you do not have to tip your head up or down. Have your elbows supported at all times.
#3 Perform some exercises to improve your posture. Some kinds of exercises can help you improve your posture; These exercises also help in preventing the possible damage a bad posture can bring. They can make your core strong, make your muscles more flexible, and promote better balance. Contact Fitworks Perfect Posture® today to find out more.
#4 Make sure to use ergonomic furniture and equipment. Ergonomic furniture and equipment play an integral part in developing a healthier and safer working environment. Also, anti-fatigue mats help reduce fatigue due to standing for long hours. An ergonomic mouse can also prevent the risks of having carpal tunnel syndrome and repetitive strain injury. An ergonomic chair must also be considered to support you in achieving a more comfortable work experience.
Good posture aids in preventing health problems and enhancing employees’ wellbeing. Every management needs to implement safety and ergonomic work habits to improve posture and become more proficient at work.
Want to get started as an individual employee?
Would you like to invest in your entire company? Simply contact Fitworks Perfect Posture® 407-408-7588 to find out more information.