Most of the adults working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic do not have a proper work station available. The houses usually lack the space to accommodate the ergonomic office setup. And even if the space is available, people do not invest in it and end up working on a makeshift setting. This leads to sitting in unfit postures for hours, which results in a sore neck, backache and over all discomfort.
This can be fixed, but can only be fixed by you. Follow these tips to ensure that your body is not awkwardly bent or twisted while working. And make the conscious effort to straighten your back please!
Tip 1: Always sit back in your chair
When the lower back is supported by the chair, your upper body weight gets shifted to the chair. If your chair does not have a good lumbar support, you can use a cushion or folded towel behind your lower back. This support device should help maintain a good posture.
Tip 2: Minimize working from your bed
Sometimes we tend to be lazy and end up working from our beds with the support of a few pillows and cushions behind our back. The legs remain crossed or extended horizontally, acting as a support for your laptop. This not only affects your neck and back, but affects your vision as well, because the laptop is too low for optimal screen viewing. If the bed is your only available option while working from home, use proper back support and a low table for the laptop.
Tip 3: Keep your screen at eye level
Screens that are too low or high can strain your neck and eyes. In an optimal situation, the top of your computer’s screen should be no more than 2 inches above your eye level. If the screen is at a lower level, then placing a stack of books below is an easy way to adjust the height.
Tip 4: Your feet should touch the floor or the foot rest
Do not let your feet dangle in the air as the pressure falls on your thighs which restricts blood flow to your lower legs and feet. So, ensure your feet get the base support they need.
Tip 5: Take regular breaks
It is important that you get up from your seated position and walk around a bit. This is because sitting for longer durations might reduce blood flow and cause muscle fatigue. To avoid this, it is essential to take breaks in between, move away from the work station and get the blood flowing thoroughly. You can also do some shoulder shrugs and calf movements to relax the tensed muscles.
Also Read: Google unveils post pandemic policy, allows more flexibility to work from home