Hands up if you find yourself seated for long periods in the office. Little do we know that office furniture is designed to help us maintain a good posture while because we spend many hours in the office. Adjustable seats, desks and tables help us keep our backs straight. Home furniture on the other hand is designed for leisure and relaxing. Not much emphasis here on posture. If you are not fortunate enough to have a dining set or home office desk and chair, then this is for you.
What is Good Posture?
Good posture means that the key parts of a person’s body align correctly and get support from the right muscles and bone. Benefits of good posture are as follows:
- Robust spine health
- It helps maintain balance while in motion
- It reduces the risk of muscle strain and overuse conditions
- It reduces wear and tear on the joints, muscles, and ligaments
- It reduces strain on the body while in motion and during workouts
Working from home during this period requires us to take good care of our bodies. Below are a few tips of how to adjust to working in your living space.
Keep your monitor at arm’s length and no more than 2 inches above the natural line of sight. This will help you not arch your neck forwards.
- Customize your workspaces, for example adding footrests, floor mats, wrist pads, or backrests
- Use a standing desk where possible to alternate between sitting and standing
- Use a yoga ball or a knee chair
- Try out different types of keyboard and mouse
- Use a headset or earphones for long calls to reduce neck strain
- Position the keyboard and mouse close together to avoid reaching
- Get up and move around occasionally, especially when experiencing any aches and pain
- Make sure there is adequate lighting in order not to strain your eyes. Use of natural light is even better as you get to conserve energy
In addition to the above, stretch and engage yourself in a simple work out to help you move and exercise your muscles to keep them strong.
