Are you an ergonomic procrastinator? If so, it's time to engage the changes necessary to get healthy in the workplace. Failing to do so can lead to some pretty serious consequences. From fatigue to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, the risks associated with failing to commit to an ergonomic work life can actually shorten your life span!
Fatigue? No big deal right? Wrong! Fatigue is a productivity killer that can and will rock your work day. If you want to fight fatigue, you can't procrastinate. You've gotta stay active. To do so, keep things moving. About once an hour, stand up from your office chair to stretch and get the blood pumping. Grab a drink of water to stay hydrated and walk around the office a bit.
You can also fight fatigue in the workplace by eating healthy. Fatty foods will leave you feeling drained throughout the work day. Alternatively, healthy foods will provide you with the energy necessary to make it through your day the healthy way!
4.) Neck Strain
2.) Back Pain
If you've ever dealt with back pain, you know how serious it can be. It's incredibly hard to stay focused and at your best when your back is aching. If you procrastinate, this problem will only get worse.
Take a stand against back pain by focusing on good posture habits. Do you find yourself leaning forward and away from the support provided by your ergonomic chair when typing at your workstation? This is counter productive to your problem. Make it a point to set your chair back to an angle that ensures you can maintain contact with it at all times. Doing so will keep your back and spine properly supported.
You can also fight back pain with a little stretching. Before you sit down in your chair and start your day, do a little deskercise. Yep, it's a thing! Deskerscise involves using the components in your office to stretch and stay healthy. We don't have enough time to cover all the various stretches you can do to relieve back pain, but rest assured there's plenty. Don't procrastinate and deal with the consequences. Do a web search for "healthy office stretches to relieve back pain" and put together a daily routine to help thwart this common workplace epidemic.
3.) Cramping
Cramps can come and go throughout the work day. When they strike, they're very tough to deal with. You're almost forced to wait them out. For this reason, it's best to fight back before they start. Be proactive throughout the day by forming healthy work habits. First and foremost, you can't sit for hours on end without taking short breaks. If you can't find the time to step away from your desk for a few minutes each hour, invest in a height adjustable work surface attachment that will allow you to work standing up.
Do you find yourself working with your feet perched on the base of your office chair? This common problem can definitely lead to leg cramps. Strive to keep your feet placed flat on the ground and facing forward when sitting in your office chair. This healthy habits provides stability and ensures good blood flow that will help you prevent cramping throughout the course of your day.
4.) Neck Strain
It's hard to stay productive when you're constantly rubbing your neck to alleviate pain throughout the work day. By being proactive and raising your computer screens to eye level, you'll be able to avoid looking down at your computer screens when typing. In a nut shell, when you look down at your screens to type, your neck is put under unnecessary stress. To solve the problem, prop your screens up with a stack of books or a shoebox. When funds permit you can invest in a height adjustable monitor mount that professionally tackles the problem.
5.) Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Are you suffering from the consequences of typing at unhealthy angles? Don't procrastinate! First things first, you need to examine your workstation. Is your keyboard sitting atop your work surface? If so, this is a problem. You'll want to invest in an articulating keyboard platform that encourages healthy computing. Plenty of cost effective options are available on the market from brands like ESI Ergonomic Solutions, Symmetry Office, and Systematix.
You can also use your office chair arms to help you fight back against hand and wrist pain. If your chair arms are set too high or too low, you'll be straining to type throughout the day. Correctly position your chair arms to a height that ensures a smooth and comfortable transition to your keyboard tray.
