Whether you are working your dream job or just getting by doing something, there are significant reasons to be concerned about your body and how it copes with the physical impact of work. If you are an active employee within any industry in the US, there’s a 25% chance that you have some degree of lower back pain. Nearly 40 million American workers suffer from that. Since prevention is always better than finding a cure, this article describes ten crucial ways to treat your body well at work to keep your body in the best shape.
Develop Self-awareness
Before making changes that impact your body, you must develop some self-awareness. Many habits that cause poor body conditioning are difficult to adjust without self-awareness. For example, it is easy to slouch when sitting at work. It would be best to be alert to these little things and how they impact your body. Self-awareness helps you to adjust your posture and implement new decisions relating to your body and work environment.
Keep Your Body Hydrated Always
The human body is a biological machine that requires several essential chemicals. Water is one of these necessary chemicals that humans consume. Keep your body hydrated, not only when you are working. Hydration strengthens the body, protects sensitive tissues such as the spinal cord, and lubricates moving joints. Hydration also helps the body to maintain its critical pH balance, ensuring that your organs have the best working conditions.
Use Ergonomic Furniture
For a long time, experts have had the standing vs. sitting debate. Most revolve around productivity and health, but that’s not even a question. Most work-related issues causing chronic body conditions occur because employees do not use ergonomic workstations. Office furniture should be ergonomic to improve body function and prevent work-related injuries. Whether you prefer standing vs. sitting at work, you should be able to adjust your work desk to suit your needs.
Exercise Often
Exercising has many merits; one key benefit is a strong and conditioned body. Body conditioning increases physical performance and enables your body to endure harsh conditions for more extended periods. Exercise strengthens your muscles and bones and improves blood flow and nerve transmission. Exercise also relieves pain, allowing your body to recover as you build it. Regular exercise is good for your work-life; don’t neglect it.
Maintain A Good Posture
Bad posture is a leading cause of work injuries, musculoskeletal imbalance, spinal and back pain, joint pain, drooping shoulders, etc. It is simply bad for your health and reduces your productivity over time. Maintaining a good posture at all times may be difficult, but you’ll get it right with practice. Keep your head high, your shoulders and back straight, and your feet spread out when sitting. Walk straight without gaiting.
Do Not Sit For Long Hours
A sedentary lifestyle at work or home is a leading cause of certain chronic diseases. Sitting, lying down, or standing for long hours can cause unpleasant body changes leading to unhealthy weight gain, heart disease, and even stroke. Every year, billions are lost to missed work days due to illnesses caused by a sedentary lifestyle. Don’t sit for long hours; stand, move, and stretch at intervals. You should also tap and rock your legs if it helps improve blood flow.
Stick To Your Schedules
You don’t have to work those extra long hours if you can help it. Your body has a threshold of work-related stress that it can take. Going beyond this could set up your body for specific trauma. Keep a schedule and stick to it as much as you can. Delegate tasks, and if you cannot finish, it is okay to take some home where possible.
Take The Stairs More Often
Elevators are fast, easy, and pleasant, but taking the stairs improves your health. You don’t have to use the stairs always, but you should do it more often than you use the lift. That extra work improves your muscles, endurance, and bone strength.
Do Not Sit With Items In Your Back Pocket
Sitting with your wallet, purse, cellphone, or other items in your back pocket can slowly disfigure you. The human spine is S-shaped and designed to carry some weight. But when you sit on your wallet, for example, one side of your body is elevated, causing a shortening of the lower back. Over time, this could imbalance your spine and reduce its function.
Avoid Lifting Heavy Things For Long Periods
If you work a physically-intensive job, you should avoid lifting heavy things for long periods. Learn to rest your arms and back long before they ache. Use a full backpack instead of a sling bag as the latter, when heavy, weighs down one side of your body. Lifting heavy things for long periods and using bags or items with one-sided weight can cause poor posture and chronic body pain.