Many of us complain about having a bad back from time to time. Many of you put it down to sleeping in an uncomfortable bed, tiredness or even stress. Most people are aware and educated about sitting correctly while at work. Still, many of you will not realise just how much of a detrimental effect sedentary work, such as office work, can have on one’s posture and, indeed, one’s overall health.
For instance, did you know that If you sit for a full 24-hour period, you experience a forty per cent reduction in glucose uptake in insulin, which can eventually cause type 2 diabetes? Scary thought, but the fact is our bodies were not meant to be stationary for long periods of time, follow these simple steps below to minimise your risk of back and health problems. Old habits die hard, so make sure you keep to it:
- Stand and stretch at least once an hour.
- Try and get around 30 mins of exercise daily (this can be a brisk walk).
- Support your back by adjusting your chair, so your lower back is properly supported.
- Adjust your chair height so that you can use the keyboard with your wrists and forearms straight and level with the floor.
- Rest your feet on floor.
- Your feet should be flat on the floor.
It’s that simple: move more and sit correctly, and your body will thank you later in life!
For more information on posture, follow this link to NHS Choices
