The workplace has an enormous influence on your physical and mental health. Companies now take steps to enhance the welfare of workers in recognition that poor wellbeing can create huge productivity and economic losses. As an employee, you can also contribute towards improving your comfort and health at the office in several ways. From proper posture and positioning of arms to using ergonomic chairs and desks, it is possible to be productive without massive levels of stress by keeping yourself comfortable and healthy.
Avoid Physical Discomfort
According to Science Daily, people spend, on average, over five hours per day sitting at their desk. Therefore, it is vital that you maintain a good posture while you’re working in order to prevent physical discomfort such as aches and pains and other complications due to prolonged hours of sitting. Slouching can cause bad effects on your health, including joint and muscle pain. In addition, putting your arms in awkward positions can also result in ill effects on the nerves. Overall, bad posture can affect blood circulation, causing tight muscles and joints, as well as high blood pressure due to the body having to work harder. It is, therefore, important to adopt a good sitting posture and improve arm positioning for your physical health.
Pains and aches don’t only come from a poor posture. Your chair and desk might not be the best equipment for spending hours sitting down to accomplish tasks. Using the proper desk height or a standing desk and a comfortable chair that supports the back and legs lowers the risk of musculoskeletal disorders. It is vital to make sure you’re as comfortable as possible during prolonged hours of sitting, standing, and completing repetitive tasks in order to minimise injuries, and therefore, ergonomics plays an important role in the workplace.
Take Frequent Breaks
Sitting or standing for sustained periods is also not good for your health and comfort. It would be beneficial if you were to take a break every so often to stretch your legs and arms. Studies indicate that taking breaks can help recover from stress, and this, in turn, assists in performance improvement. It also increases productivity.
Research also suggests that standing can have health benefits. Even if there is no walking involved, standing after sitting for 20 minutes is beneficial. Thus, for every half an hour that you are working, standing for eight minutes and moving around for two minutes can offer value. When you stand, many muscles in the legs, backside and abdomen are working to support you whilst standing, according to the Mayo Clinic. Muscle movement consumes sugar and affects levels of triglycerides that can help lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.
There are several ways to improve your health and wellbeing at the workplace. Adopting good posture, using ergonomic equipment, and taking regular rest breaks assist in achieving a good physical and mental condition.
