Upon thinking about the schedule of a typical day, most people will find that the majority of their time is spent sitting. Between commuting, sitting down for meals, watching TV, and browsing the Internet, moving around is unfortunately quite uncommon.
But the worst offender is often time spent at the office. Remaining sedentary for eight hours (or more) per day can inflict a lot of pain on your muscular system and cardiovascular system. Research has linked too much sitting to a horde of health problems, and sitting disease has become an actual diagnosis. It can be difficult to change those sedentary habits in the workplace. However, with a few adjustments to your work day, it can be done. Here are a few simple ways to combat the damage done during your workday:
- Take a walk during your lunch break: It’s not often that it takes an entire half-hour to eat lunch. Most of the time it takes less than ten minutes and the rest of your break is spent browsing a smartphone or checking email. Instead of sitting at the lunch table, try using that extra fifteen minutes to take a walk. It’s a perfect excuse to get some fresh air, get the blood pumping, and enjoy a change of scenery.
- Stretch those muscles: Doing some simple stretches at your desk is a great way to improve circulation and strengthen the muscles that don’t get used enough while sitting. Do a few repetitions of forward stretches, backward stretches, side twists, overhead reaches, and leg lifts just a couple times each day.
- Breathe deep: Stress can unconsciously cause shallow, rapid breathing, which strains muscles and limits oxygen supply. Taking just thirty seconds to focus on taking slow, deep breaths is a good way to improve your circulation and relieve stress.
- Get face-to-face: Instead of sending an email or making a phone call to a coworker, try doing it face-to-face! Just those few steps across the office are enough to invigorate your body and fight off uncomfortable, stiff limbs.
- Drink water: Stay hydrated by keeping a water bottle at your desk or visiting the water cooler often. Many office air conditioning systems can contribute to dehydration, and sitting at a desk can make you surprisingly thirsty. Keeping yourself hydrated can stave off headaches, improve circulation and digestion, and maintain healthy skin.
- Follow the 20/20/20 rule: Optometrists recommend that every 20 minutes, computer users should take 20 seconds to look at something that is at least 20 feet away. This helps prevent eye strain by working other muscles in your eye, as well as reminding you to blink a bit more to reduce dryness and redness of the eyes.
- Practice good posture: Altering the way you are sitting can immediately improve your comfort, reduce your pain and stimulate blood flow. Keep your feet flat on the floor and your knees level with your hips. Make sure that your chair and your armrests are at a proper height so that your screen is directly in front of you and your wrists are flat while using your keyboard and mouse. Ensure that you have proper lumbar support in order to prevent back pain.
- Invest in an ergonomic desk chair: Of course, it is much easier to maintain good posture when sitting in an ergonomic desk chair. 1Stop Office Furniture’s CharlieChair is a comfortable, affordable chair that can be adjusted to fit your body and workplace needs. With multiple paddle adjustments, the CharlieChair will improve productivity, keep you comfortable, and reduce your risk of sitting disease.
Please visit our Product Gallery to view all of the great new, used, and for rent ergonomic office chairs that we have to offer. Once you’ve found the ideal chair, please give us a call at 510.569.6969 or fill out the quick “Get a Quote” form. Remember, we serve all nine counties around the Bay Area (Marin, Napa, Solano, Sonoma, Contra Costa, Alameda, Santa Clara, San Mateo, San Francisco counties) and the Sacramento area. And…we can deliver within 24 hours! We look forward to helping you with our office chair needs.