A lot of workers these days will spend their shifts sitting rather than standing. While this might seem more comfortable, it can actually be pretty unhealthy. Sitting safely is something you’re going to want to prioritize. That way, you avoid any of the unpleasant side effects…
Sitting Safely: Improving Posture
Importance of posture
Posture is very important for sitting safely. If your posture is poor, then your body is going to be in an awkward, “unnatural” position. This can result in a lot of negative impacts on the body. In particular, blood flow and breathing are some of the most impacted areas.
As a result, it’s a good idea to sit in a “neutral” position. Keep your head and back straight, to help avoid neck and spine injuries. Make sure to also have some kind of support for your hands and wrists. Keeping them in a neutral position also helps prevent carpal tunnel and other posture-related injuries.
Proper height
Height is also an important part of sitting safely. You chair selection plays a big part in your overall posture and comfort. How high or low your chair is can negatively impact your posture in different ways. Therefore, you need to make sure your chair’s height is just right.
If you chair is too high, it can destabilize your body, making you feel exhausted. It can also lead to too much pressure being place on the legs and upper back. On the other hand, if the chair is too low, then it can place pressure on the internal organs and lower back.
Taking a break
Even if you’re sitting safely, extended sitting in general can cause issues. Our bodies don’t do well being in the same position for an extended period of time. Sitting for too long can lead to pains in the upper and lower body, as well as problems with blood flow, even if you do so in the right way.
Therefore, try to give yourself a break every hour or so. Take a moment to stand up and stretch, or maybe take a short walk to get the blood flowing again. It might seem simple, but it’s pretty important for avoiding injury.