Advances in technology have been hugely
beneficial to our society. But some of them have come at a very physical
cost. For example, often when I walk into my consultation room to meet
new patients, I see them sitting twisted in their chair, legs crossed,
hunched forward, chin to chest, heads protruding forward as they look at
their smart phones.
Our whole bodies are involved with the use of any form of technology,
and we pay the price in aches, pains, and worse.
Here are some easy tips for improving our health throughout the work day.
1. Most important is the 30-30 or 1-2 rule. Sit 30 minutes, up 30 seconds; sit for an hour, up for two minutes.
2. Instead of sitting down for a meeting, take a little stroll around the office and have a walking meeting. When you walk and move, you bring 5-15 percent more oxygen to your brain, so your meetings are more clear and productive. Meetings also tend to be shorter when you’re walking around. And of course, you’re going to burn calories and lose weight if you’re walking.
3. Switch the mouse from hand to hand each day. If you’re right-handed, dedicate a portion of each day to using the mouse on the left-hand side. Any kind of prolonged, repetitive stress over a period of time is going to increase the risk factors associated with injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome. So work on getting some more balance between your work postures.
4. Stand for specific events. Eat your lunch standing up. When the phone rings, stand up. When someone enters your office to speak with you, stand up.
5. Put a small water bottle on your desk and fill it up throughout the day. It makes you go to the bathroom more, which forces you to get up. And water’s good for you!
Want more quick tips for better health? Check this space again soon, or get in touch at sit2stand@gmail.com.
Here are some easy tips for improving our health throughout the work day.
1. Most important is the 30-30 or 1-2 rule. Sit 30 minutes, up 30 seconds; sit for an hour, up for two minutes.
2. Instead of sitting down for a meeting, take a little stroll around the office and have a walking meeting. When you walk and move, you bring 5-15 percent more oxygen to your brain, so your meetings are more clear and productive. Meetings also tend to be shorter when you’re walking around. And of course, you’re going to burn calories and lose weight if you’re walking.
3. Switch the mouse from hand to hand each day. If you’re right-handed, dedicate a portion of each day to using the mouse on the left-hand side. Any kind of prolonged, repetitive stress over a period of time is going to increase the risk factors associated with injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome. So work on getting some more balance between your work postures.
4. Stand for specific events. Eat your lunch standing up. When the phone rings, stand up. When someone enters your office to speak with you, stand up.
5. Put a small water bottle on your desk and fill it up throughout the day. It makes you go to the bathroom more, which forces you to get up. And water’s good for you!
Want more quick tips for better health? Check this space again soon, or get in touch at sit2stand@gmail.com.
Comments
Post a Comment