
4 Tips to Improve Your Posture at Work
4 Tips to Improve Your Posture at Work
Low Back Pain (LBP) is the “most common cause of work-related disability in people under 45 years of age and the most expensive cause of work-related disability, in terms of workers’ compensation and medical expenses,” according to NIH.gov. With statistics like this, it’s no secret that the posture of desk job workers is poor for most working adults, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be fixed.
There are some steps you can take to ensure you’re still getting your job done while also improving your posture. Our ergonomics experts have gathered a few tips to help you focus on the work you’ve got to do in comfort.
Benefits of Ergonomics in The Workplace
First, it is important to understand that there are several benefits to ensuring that an office is designed with proper ergonomics in mind. The first benefit is improvement in the health of all employees.
Another common benefit of ergonomics in the workplace is better mental focus. This is important for every business because the more focus employees have while at work, the higher their production levels are throughout the day.
In fact, poor posture is one of the more noticeable impacts of neglecting ergonomics in office design. Below are a few tips on how to improve posture while working a desk job from the ergonomics consultants at Solutions Northwest Inc.
1. Keep Your Posture Neutral
Ergonomics experts suggest that it is important to keep your spine in a neutral position when you sit at your desk. This means your position is straight from the top of your head to the bottom of your toes.
It’s not uncommon for your posture to be affected by slouching or hunching over your desk, which can lead to tension throughout your muscles and nerve pinches.
Investing in ergonomic furniture will help worker’s achieve better posture by providing adjustable desk height, proper monitor placement, and chair support.
Related Article: “The Ergonomics Way to Sit at Your Desk and View Your Monitor”
2. Sit Against the Chair
As we begin working at our desk we naturally move closer to the desk and start hovering over it. Ergonomics experts recommend that workers be mindful when this starts to happen and ensure that one’s back is pressed against the chair. Also, the shoulders should be back, but relaxed.
3. Take Breaks
Sitting down or laying down for too long can have adverse reactions on your health. It’s for this reason you need to ensure that you give yourself breaks and get away from your desk from time to time.
You don’t have to leave your desk, but giving yourself time to stand up and get the blood flowing to your legs is helpful.
Related article: “Break Time: 5 Reasons Work Breaks Boost Productivity”
4. Invest in an Ergonomics Assessment
Whether you are working in the office or working from home, every office workplace is different based on a worker’s needs. The best way to ensure proper posture and avoid injury is to invest in an ergonomics assessment from an expert.
Ergonomic assessments are an investment in your business or yourself, as having proper ergonomic design will lead to improved productivity, happier workers, and less injuries.
With the recent boom in remote work, Virtual Ergonomics Assessment options have started to become popular. These assessments can be done through a mobile phone or e-mail and may be more affordable than usual.
Stay Productive with Your Health at Work
If you’re looking to improve posture at work, you can try taking more breaks to move around, ensure your back is firmly against your chair, and that your workspace is designed with ergonomics in mind. Try these tips at work and watch it work wonders for your posture.
If you need help creating a more ergonomic workplace for yourself or your employees contact the ergonomics experts at Solutions Northwest Inc. for more information. You may also want to consider an affordable virtual ergonomics assessment, which can be done remotely (all you need is access to e-mail or a smart phone).
At SolutionsNW.com we value the importance of a positive workplace culture. Part of a positive workplace is a safe workplace, Contact Us to schedule an ergonomics consultation or ergonomics assessment for your office today.
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Virtual Ergonomics Assessment available nationwide!
Contact the Ergonomics Experts at Solutions Northwest Inc. Below:
Multiple Locations
Corporate Office: 120 State Ave. NE #397
Olympia, WA 98501
Business Hours: 8am-5pm M-F
Corporate FAX: 360-866-4773
Email: Info@solutionsnw.com

Olympia, WA

Seattle, WA
