Good posture is vital whether you work at home or in an office. Aside from the fact that it aids in preventing health issues, it also contributes to achieving a more comfortable working experience. Poor posture also affects your mood, thus leads to a low quality of work performance.
This also causes various musculoskeletal injuries related to work, and issues such as sprains, back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, neck pain, and eye strains. People in the workplace must be knowledgeable in promoting good posture to ensure a healthy working environment.
What are the Causes of Poor Posture?
Various studies have already revealed that prolonged sitting while working leads to risks of a sedentary lifestyle. Experts have stated that there are numerous health risks this kind of lifestyle can bring to people. Various factors can cause poor posture in the workplace.
#1 Poor setup of the workstation (uncomfortable chair, too high monitor, etc.)
#2 Slouching too often while working
#3 Sitting for too long, and not taking breaks to stand or walk
#4 Doing habits such as crossing the legs and ankles
#5 Not moving around which causes restriction of blood and nutrients going to the spinal discs
Importance of Good Posture
The following are some of the top reasons why we should promote proper posture in the workplace:
#1 Good posture aids in preventing various health issues such as fatigue, digestive problems, backaches, neck pain, spinal curvature, varicose veins, and cardiovascular ailments.
#2 Proper posture is crucial in achieving the proper alignment of joints and bones, good condition of muscles, ligament, tendons, and nerves. All these are essential to make sure that the work is performed properly and effectively.
#3 With good posture, an effective body mechanics, which refers to the efficient and smooth motion, can be promoted. When a person performs some movements such as walking, lifting, standing, sitting, pulling, and pushing, stress should be distributed appropriately. This will help lessen the possible wearing and tearing of the body tissues, muscles, and joints.
#4 Managers and business owners also look on how employees act in the workplace, so proper feedback will be given to them. When employees sit in a slouched position in their workstation, this gives the impression that they are not 100% interested in what they are doing. It can be because they are not motivated to work on the tasks, burned out, or they do not value the sense of productivity and responsibility. However, when employees are sitting upright and show proper good posture while working, it builds positive vibes that connote their interest in the job.
#5 Adopting proper posture can help the issue of gaining weight due to prolonged sitting. Make sure to sit upright so that your body will be free from tension, and will have excellent blood flow.
#6 Proper posture can help you get rid of back pain. Experts have stated that slouching on your desk can cause a sprain in the spine and the muscles. You can prevent back pain by avoiding poor posture. Always sit in an upright position. It is also great if you choose ergonomic chairs to make sure that you will be comfortable while accomplishing your tasks at home or in the office. When sitting, you can also utilize a backboard to be placed behind your back to work more comfortably.
#7 Good posture helps keep stress away. When you have the proper posture at the workplace, you will discover that stress will not ruin your day. Since a good posture poses high self-esteem, you can effectively handle negative emotions. Of course, you will be more productive and efficient in generating better work results.
#8 Good posture helps improve memory. You can be more focused when you sit in an upright position. Your memory is also improved, so you will be better at remembering things and events. This can be deemed as a positive trait that will benefit your job because this will help ensure success.
#9 A good posture adds to your overall appearance. Your posture can contribute to your overall appearance. You look taller and more confident when you sit in an upright position. This plays an integral part in the workplace because such can add positive vibes to other workers. When you show that you’re interested in the tasks, then they will be motivated as well. Especially if your job needs to be dealing with clients and customers, a well-presented appearance is essential. You will look more professional if you keep a good posture. The more confident you appear, the higher the chance of them trusting you.
Effective Ways on How to Improve your Posture in the Workplace
Now that we all know how important it is to have a good posture in the workplace, it will be helpful to identify several ways on how to improve your posture.
#1 Evaluate yourself and the current posture that you have. It’s imperative to get to see first on how you hold yourself. Look at the mirror and check if you seem to be hunching or slouching. You can ask an expert to learn more about how to correct your posture if there’s an issue.
#2 Always try to sit properly. Most of us develop a poor posture because of the way we sit. When we sit improperly on our chair, then we are putting pressure on either the pubic bone or the tailbone. It’s also crucial to find the correct balance by keeping your feet flat on the floor, put your weight on the center, and your back straight.TO avoid having pains on your lower back, you should have support on your lower back. This is crucial, especially if you spend long hours of work while sitting on your chair.
#3 Perform some exercises to improve your posture. Some kinds of exercises can help you improve your posture; These exercises also helps in preventing the possible damage a bad posture can bring. They can make your core strong, flex your muscles, and promote better balance. Some of the exercises include pilates, yoga, bridges, planks, bridges, pull-ups, and shoulder stretches.
#4 Make sure to use ergonomic furniture and equipment. Ergonomic furniture and equipment play an integral part in developing a healthier and safer working environment. Standing desks and converters, for instance, help in preventing the risks of a sedentary lifestyle. They also encourage having a good posture. Thus, slouching will be avoided. Also, anti-fatigue mats help reduce fatigue due to standing for long hours. An ergonomic mouse can also prevent the risks of having carpal tunnel syndrome and repetitive strain injury. An ergonomic chair must also be considered to support you in achieving a more comfortable work experience.
Good posture aids in preventing health problems and enhancing employees’ wellbeing. Every management needs to implement safety and ergonomic work habits to improve posture and become more proficient at work.