When it comes to an office job, it is crucial that you take good care of your body throughout the day. Making a conscious effort to improve your posture, especially if you sit at a desk 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, is crucial.
It’s no secret that most people (especially in this day and age) have bad posture, and sitting in front of a computer day in and day out has a lot to do with that.
These are some of the simplest ways you can improve your posture, especially if you work in an office and sit at a desk all day.
First, is there a “correct” way to sit at a desk?
In short, yes, there is a correct way to sit at a desk to ensure optimal health. You want to make sure your feet are flat on the floor, your shoulders are relaxed, and you don’t slump forward or rest your elbows on the desk.
Your knees and elbows should both be parallel to the desk, with your elbows at your sides. Also make sure you are sitting up straight and looking forward (not looking down) to avoid damage to your neck.
Making sure you sit upright, facing forward and with your feet flat on the floor is one of the easiest ways to ensure you are sitting properly and not damaging your back or neck while working.
What are some ways to easily improve your posture while sitting at your desk?
There are a few simple tips and tricks you can keep in mind that can really help you improve your posture if you sit at a desk all day.
These are some of the simple changes you can make every day to improve your posture:
Stand up and stretch
Sitting at a desk all day can have a big impact on your hip flexor muscles, leading to pain and poor posture. So it’s important that you get up and stretch throughout the day. Stretch your hips, glutes, hamstrings and lower back regularly to ensure you get enough exercise throughout the workday.
Sit upright
As mentioned above, sitting upright is a crucial part of good posture if you sit at a desk all day. You don’t want to bend over or sit with your legs crossed as this can cause poor circulation and poor posture. Make sure you sit upright with your feet firmly on the floor during your workday. You should also aim to move your feet regularly so that you get adequate blood flow throughout the day.
Stretch your shoulders
Bending over at a desk is one of the most common causes of poor posture. This happens because your chest muscles tighten internally and your shoulders rotate forward and out of alignment.
Try to stretch and roll your shoulders regularly throughout the day to minimize the risk of this. Also make sure you have enough back support so that you can sit up straight with your shoulders back.
Seek professional help
If you have been working at a desk for several years and are experiencing back, neck or shoulder pain as a result, you may want to seek the help of a professional. Search for chiropractic treatments in your area to find professionals nearby who can help you relieve pain and improve your posture.
A chiropractor may also be able to give you stretches or exercises that you can do throughout the day to improve your sitting posture. Seeking professional help is a good way to go, especially if you’re not sure where to start when it comes to improving your posture.
Great attitude is just around the corner
With these tips and tricks and a conscious effort on your part during your working day, you can be sure that good posture is within reach! It’s never too late to start improving your posture, so start small and work your way up to bigger changes.
When it comes to improving your posture, it’s all about building habits. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t see or feel immediate results. Sometimes even the smallest changes can make the biggest difference in the long run.
