“Just sitting up straight, a simple power pose, may increase self-confidence.” European Journal of Social Psychology
Working at an office computer can lead to bad posture, which can cause issues like back pain, neck pain, and even present a loss of productivity at work.
There are many benefits to having good posture, besides just looking good. This blog will describe the benefits of good posture and how to achieve it.
3 Benefits of Better Posture:
The American Chiropractic Association says that 31 million Americans experience low back pain at a time. In fact, it’s also the leading cause of disability and one of the top reasons for missed work.
In addition to alleviating our neck and back pain, improving our posture also benefits our:
- Confidence
When in the power pose—head up, shoulders back, chest forward—our bodies also release chemical hormones. The increase in testosterone boosts our confidence, while the decrease in cortisol lowers our stress levels.
On the other hand, bad posture gives our stress, depression, and fear levels a boost, so we’re better off without it
- Energy
Sitting up, standing, or walking straight also increases our energy. This can, in turn, lead to more confidence, productivity, and better communication.
A little exercise break can wake us up and raise our energy levels too. - Health
Bad posture can impact our overall health and happiness. When we slouch, we squish our organs together. Sitting straight allows them to function at optimal levels.
It can also cause: headaches, digestive issues, difficulty sleeping, low confidence, and fatigue.
3 Ways to Correct Your Posture:
- Strengthen your body.
You may need to strengthen your body before you can maintain good posture. Enroll in an exercise program like yoga or learn some simple exercises, like the chin tuck. To do the chin tuck, “move your chin towards your chest, holding for 5 seconds as you feel a comfortable stretch from your neck to the base of your skull. Repeat 10 times” according to Spine Universe.
We’d also recommend watching a great exercise video, “Exercise at Your Desk” from the ergonomics consultants at Solutions Northwest Inc - Learn to sit or stand properly.
CYH defines good posture as “always holding yourself in a way that puts the least strain on your back, whatever you are doing.” For example, instead of sitting at a stiff 90-degree angle, try 110-degrees. This will help relax your shoulders and improve spine comfort.
If you have trouble discovering what your best posture is, there are also apps and devices that will warn you if your posture is inadequate. - Take a break.
Sitting at a desk all day isn’t healthy, so be sure to take breaks. Try microbreaks every 20 minutes or turn away from your screen and stretch before those aches and pains can set in. Read our article: “Taking Breaks Makes You More Productive at Work” for more ideas on how and why to take breaks at work.
In conclusion
With these tips, you can put an end to your bad posture and improve your overall health and productivity.
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These 5 workplace tips come courtesy of Solutions Northwest Inc., ergonomics
consultants and work safety experts located in Washington State, Arcata,
California, Oregon, Seattle, Olympia, Tacoma, and Portland.
