Whether you’re working in the office or at home, if you sit at a computer or desk for long periods of time each day, there are a number of things you can do to improve your posture and protect your long-term physical health. We’re answering the frequently asked questions surrounding posture at work as well as offering essential tips.
What is the best position for sitting at a desk all day?
You may wonder if there is a correct way to sit at your desk to minimise any damage to your posture.
Below is a practical checklist of things to consider when setting up your work space and how to sit properly at a desk:
– Keep your screen at eye level
– Keep the keyboard straight in front of you and the mouse close by
– Make sure your feet can be placed flat on the floor
– Make sure your lower back is supported by your chair
– When you sit, your knees should be slightly lower than your hips
– Your wrists and forearms should be straight and level with the floor
– Your elbows should be by the side of your body and form an L-shape at the joint
Top Tips For Improving Posture at Work
1. Take regular breaks
Taking regular breaks means walking away from your desk at intervals throughout the day. Whether it’s to make a hot drink, have a brisk walk, or to have a quick chat with a colleague, having regular breaks will not only prevent eye strain and headaches, it will also mean you aren’t sat in the same position for too long.
2. Use an ergonomic chair
Ergonomic chairs are specially designed to protect your posture while you work and most employers will provide you with one if you work in an office.
These chairs are adjustable which means you can set the height, back position, and tilt to suit you and your work space. At LOF we sell an affordable selection of second hand office chairs with adjustable and ergonomic designs.
3. Avoid crossing your legs
One posture mistake that many of us are guilty of is crossing our legs. However, if you want to prevent posture-related problems in the future, we recommend that you keep your feet flat on the floor rather than crossing your legs.
4. Avoid cradling a phone
If you work in sales or as a customer advisor you are likely to spend a lot of time on the phone. However, repeatedly cradling a phone between your shoulder and neck could strain your muscles. We recommend switching to a headset or using the speakerphone option where possible.
5. Try posture correcting stretches
While it’s not good to hunch over a keyboard or slouch in a chair, if these are the positions your body is used to then you may not even notice there’s anything wrong with your posture. There are a number of posture correcting exercises you can try if you have fallen into bad habits.
We hope our top tips and checklist on how to sit at a desk all day will help you to improve your posture at work. At LOF we have a superb range of second-hand office chairs to suit your budget and work space, all with a 3-year warranty.
