Sitting all day at a desk is never ideal. Many of us quickly had to transition from our office space to the "comfort" of our own homes. As much as we love the "comfort" of our own space, it isn't necessarily the best place to work from.
Since we have re-opened, the majority of complaints coming in is the discomfort of working from home. Unless you have a designated office space, the couch is not meant to be a place of work/productivity. Picture your posture while working from the couch; laptop in lap or coffee table, shoulders hunched forward, arms in front of the body, forward neck posture, the list goes on. Your body takes a toll sitting in such positions for long periods of time.
Here's what happens:
1. Weak Legs and Glutes
- If you don't use them, you lose them! Without strong leg and glute muscles to stabilize you, your body becomes at risk of injury.
2. Tight Hips and Bad Back
- Your hip flexors constantly in a shortened position causes pain in the hips and consequently in the back. Poor posture exacerbates this even more.
3. Stiff Neck and Shoulders
- As if we didn't have this problem enough already!
What can you do to stop all of this?
First, STOP working from the couch. If you have the space for a desk, use it! Stand-up desks are an even better option, if possible.
Get up at least every 50 minutes. Take a little walk around the house, get a snack. Just get your legs moving.
If you mostly have to take phone calls, get wireless headphones. They are so worth it. Not only do they stop you from holding a phone to your ear, it allows you to move more freely around the house.
Your hours may be more flexible, but that doesn't mean you should stray away from your daily exercise routine. Set an alarm and get some exercise in before you start your work from home.
Schedule a monthly massage (as if you didn't know we were going to say that!).
Schedule a chiropractor appointment (we know some good ones!).
Try to limit the hours at the screen as much as possible.
Last but not least, listen to your body. if you're starting to feel any kind of discomfort in your neck and back, it's time to stand up!