As office jobs become more prevalent in the United States, it’s important to realize the consequences of sitting behind a desk for hours at a time.
Lack of movement can have negative effects on our physical and mental health, resulting in pain, a negative attitude, and decreased productivity. It’s important to integrate as much movement into our workdays as possible.
Designed for motion
Our bodies are designed to move and movement plays a vital role in enabling them to function properly. According to the World Health Organization, sedentary lifestyles are a major health risk. Without adequate movement, you put your body at a higher risk for numerous health problems, including depression, diabetes, cancer, and digestive and cardiovascular issues.
Variety and movement keep your mind and your body happy, and help you remain focused and engaged at work.
Take every opportunity you can to go for a short walk, including during your lunch break or a company phone call. Try taking the stairs to a restroom on a different floor, walking to a colleague’s office instead of sending an email, and rearranging your own office to force yourself to stand up more. Train yourself to be mindful of all opportunities for movement.
Mixing it up
It’s also important to adjust the position of your body as often as you can. No matter how comfortable you are, staying in one place for too long puts unnecessary stress on the body. Taking 5- to 10-second microbreaks roughly four times per hour is a great way to stay mindful of your need to adjust your posture and stretch your muscles.
Every 15 minutes, take your eyes off your computer screen, spread your fingers and take a deep breath. Rest the muscles you were using and use the ones you were resting. Straighten anything that was bent, and open what was closed.
In the event of musculoskeletal pain, don’t just cover up symptoms. Try first to determine if changes in your routine or environment can alleviate the pain, then consider using non-drug chiropractic services before moving on to other treatments.
Learn more about office ergonomics and chiropractic care at www.HandsDownBetter.org.