This Career Can be a Pain in the A#s and the Neck (Literally! and Here's How)

SITTING for extended periods can have detrimental effects on our bodies, and that's just what this type of work leads to. Working in front of our various types of computers, if we're not mindful, will create bad habits.

Even with great posture, we can feel aches and pains as a result of sitting too long. However, perfect posture is the exception, instead of the norm. Most of us fall short in this category.

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What are you sitting on?

• soft cushioned arm chair - not ideal
  

  
• sofa - also not ideal
• bed - the worst option

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  desk chair - the best choice
  

What is your device sitting on?

• your lap - no good
• table or desk and elevated to eye level - the best option

How are you sitting?

• slouched - terrible idea
• twisted - you guessed it .... no good
• hunched over - also an awful position
  

  
• feet on the floor, back upright, shoulders back, head/eyes straight forward - excellent!

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Body Mechanics Briefly Explained

When our spine is in any position other than optimal, vertebrae will pinch nerves as they are exiting the spinal column.

This is where all sorts of troubles originate! You see, every function in the body, whether it's moving your toe or the beating of your heart or how much of a hormone is produced, depends on a fully functioning nervous system.

When this vital system is compromised in any way, i.e. being pinched, communication is disrupted or completely cut off between the nerve end destination and the brain. This leads to a wide array of issues, from pins and needles and numbness to organs not working to their highest potential.

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Proper Sitting Posture

As I alluded to above, the ideal way to sit is with your feet on the floor, back upright, shoulders back, head/eyes straight forward.

To accomplish this takes some effort. This starts with the chair. if your using a newer office desk chair, there will be many features built-in to help this along. The height and seat back will be adjustable, and may even have a lumbar support.

The sitting surface of the chair should be at a height that will allow you to have your feet firmly on the floor, with your knees slightly lower than your hips. You will want to sit with your back firmly against the chair back, with your shoulders pulled down and backwards.

This height should also lend itself to having your elbows at a position that doesn't force your shoulders up towards your head, as you type away on your newest blog creation.

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Position of the Computer

So you have your chair all set up for optimal comfort, now let's look at where you want the computer. This is just as important as the chair - what height your device is.

For the average Joe/Josephine, when you're sitting at a work desk, you won't have all components lined up just right. You want to have the viewing screen/monitor up high enough to where you can look straight forward, without looking up or down. As you can imagine, if you a re looking upwards or down for a long time, you will be putting strain on your cervical (neck) vertebrae, as well as causing pain in your shoulders - ouch!!

You will do yourself a great favor by finding a way to build up that height, to get the screen in a comfortable place to match your specific height.

This may also involve getting a wireless keyboard if you work from a laptop, to keep your elbows and hands in the correct alignment (see photo).

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I'm All Set Up - Anything Else?

I'm glad you asked that! There is one more thing to pass along.

Even with everything in place as it should be, you can still help yourself further by getting up

every 30 minutes and walking around for a minute or two. Even if it's to the kitchen for another glass of water (OK - that's 2 things to pass along lol .... you need to stay hydrated).

Walking will help "reset" your joints and muscles, and can even give a fresh focus to that thought process trail - renewed clarity on the task at hand (building your awesome website!).

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I HOPE this will help you stay happy and healthier as you slave away hour after hour (just kidding - this isn't work .... it's FUN!).

I would be interested to know what set up you have to affiliate in a healthful way?

All the best to my fellow bloggers!

Tom