Sit well at work – your body depends on it.

It’s easy to underestimate the toll a desk job can take on your health. While you might blame your aching back on a poor night’s sleep or general stress, the truth is that long hours of sitting, especially with poor posture, could be doing more harm than you think.

Even though most of us know the basics of good posture, it’s all too common to slip into bad habits during the workday. And the effects go beyond just stiffness or discomfort – they can impact your overall health in ways you might not expect.

Back pain is one of the most common complaints, and often, we chalk it up to a bad night’s sleep, tiredness, or stress. While those can play a role, we frequently overlook a major culprit: how we sit at work. Even if you’ve heard the advice about posture, it’s easy to forget how much of an impact a sedentary job can have on your health. Simply put, if you don’t sit well at work, you could be doing long-term damage without realising it.

Take this, for example: sitting for an entire 24-hour period can reduce your body’s ability to absorb glucose by up to 40%, increasing your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. That’s a worrying statistic – and a clear reminder that our bodies weren’t designed to stay still for hours on end.

The good news?

A few small changes can make a big difference. Follow the tips below, stick with them, and your body will thank you.

      • Stand and stretch at least once an hour.
      • Try to 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 to use the keyboard with your wrists and forearms straight and level with the floor.
      • Rest your feet on the floor, flat!

It’s that simple: move more and sit correctly!

If you’re feeling the effects of too much sitting or struggling with back pain that won’t go away, don’t ignore it. A physiotherapist can help assess your posture, ease discomfort, and guide you with personalised advice to help you sit well at work – and move well beyond it. Book an appointment today and take the first step towards feeling better in your body, every day.