Health & Fitness Blog

British people spend on average 8.9 hours sitting a day! Not only this but UK workers spend over 82,000 hours at work over their lifetime. Therefore, it is important to know how to improve your posture at work and adopt some simple changes to better your health.

Here are some tips to improve posture at work:

1. Ask for a workstation assessment from HR

The British Chiropractic Association revealed that just a fifth of the 1,643 workers polled had been offered a desk assessment, ergonomic chairs or laptop stands by their employer to help reduce the level of pain they experienced. If workers use display screen equipment every day for more than an hour, then employers must do a workstation assessment.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) states employers must do an assessment when a new workstation is set up, a new user starts work, a change is made to an existing workstation or the way it’s used or when users complain of pain or discomfort.

Therefore, if you are struggling with your posture, speak with your HR department about having a workstation assessment. This can help to improve your posture and make a big difference to your health.

2. Find products to improve your posture at work

There are some really good products out there, which can help protect your body whilst working and minimise back pain.

Here are some ways to correct posture at your desk:

Standing desks are fantastic for those who suffer from lower back pain. You can switch from sitting to standing through the day. It reduces the strain on your muscles.
Changing the height of your monitor can have a drastic positive impact on your posture. You can move to whatever is comfortable for you and tweak it throughout the day.
There are also lots of desk chair accessories that can help to provide better support! They can include lumbar support pillows, angled seat cushions, and wearable devices which correct your body’s alignment and prohibits slouching.

Do you know the danger of prolonged sitting?

3. Make sure you sit correctly

When you are sat at your desk all day, it can become easy to adopt poor posture habits. Most of us will end up slouching, having our legs crossed, leaning over our desk, twisting and turning uncomfortably, sitting for too long in one position, straining your neck to look at the monitor and many more bad habits which contribute to poor desk posture. Sitting correctly is vital to avoiding injuries:

Ensure your lower back is properly supported
Rest your feet on the floor
Place your screen at eye level
Keep your mouse close
Avoid screen reflection
Hold elbows at the sides creating an L-shape in the arms
Relax the shoulders
Adjust your chair height so that you can use the keyboard with your wrists and forearms straight and level with the floor
Avoid phone strain

These tips really help to get better posture at work and can make a difference in your everyday life. Good posture at work also projects a more professional appearance, and by sitting correctly, you can appear more serious and motivated.

Read full blog here: https://www.myfitnesschat.com/how-to-improve-your-posture-at-work/

What is work-life balance?

The Cambridge Dictionary gives a simple but effective definition of work-life balance: the amount of time you spend doing your job compared with the amount of time you spend with your family and doing things you enjoy. Follow these tips to maintain a good work-life balance.

1. Make time for you

When we are busy at work, it can be easy to think ‘I’ll just answer one more email and then go home’ or ‘I’ll just finish this task first’, but it’s vital to make an effort to leave on time and prioritize time for yourself. Whilst your job is a big part of your life, it shouldn’t be your entire life.

Make time for you, and the hobbies you enjoy. Immersing yourself in something can keep your mind occupied. Embrace a new hobby and gain some new skills with exciting activities like sculpting, sailing, cooking, photography, baking, learning to play an instrument, or dancing. We are never too old to try something new, so take the plunge and try a new hobby! It will do wonders for your wellbeing, can help you relax and maintain a good work-life balance.

2. Set Manageable Work Loads

Writing yourself a list of tasks a mile long won’t be achievable in a day. Try to set manageable goals for each working day for good work-life balance. It’s important to be realistic about workloads and deadlines, as not only will you burnout trying to do everything at once but it can make you feel down.

A reasonable to-do list can help you feel in control and give you a sense of accomplishment once you get a task done. Try to organise your workload by deadlines and what your manager would like you to prioritise. If you are completely stuck where to start, why not go and talk to a colleague about it?! It could help provide you with clarity and they may have some words of wisdom for you.

Read full blog here: https://www.myfitnesschat.com/maintaining-a-healthy-work-life-balance/

How to Improve Your Posture at Work