Is your office chair hurting your health?
Some health tips regarding office chairs in which you may be seated using a computer etc for long periods at home or work.
When considering the possible risk factors for ill health, the humble office chair is unlikely to spring to mind.
However, there has been an increasing amount of research to suggest that working in sedentary environments can contribute to a number of health problems, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, some forms of cancer and even premature death.
Luckily, there are simple steps you can take to reduce your risk. If you are concerned that your office chair is harming your health, this simple guide should help to shed some light on the issue.
Poor posture
One of the main complaints of office dwellers is backache. When sitting down for a long time, it can be tempting to slouch or hunch over, and this posture can put added pressure on the lower back. Sitting in a static position can also increase strain on the shoulders, arms and legs. To help combat the aches and pains associated with prolonged sitting, having the right chair is essential. With ergonomically-designed furniture now widely available from specialist providers like Furniture At Work™, there really is no excuse for shoddy seating. However, simply owning anergonomic chair is not enough – in order to improve comfort and reduce muscle strain, these items of furniture need to be adjusted to suit users’ height and weight. When you’re sitting, make sure that your back is straight and properly supported. Meanwhile, your legs should be at right angles to your body and your feet should be flat on the floor.
Weight gain
We all know that being inactive increases your chances of putting on weight, but did you know that too much sitting can also put you at risk of a range of health problems, such as heart disease and diabetes? Prolonged periods of sitting is believed to slow down the metabolism, which not only affects the body’s ability to break down body fat, but also makes it harder to control blood sugar levels and blood pressure.
One way to prevent these problems is to stay active. At work, you should aim to take a break from your desk every 30 minutes – whether it’s making a drink, doing some photocopying or going for walk in your lunch hour, short bouts of activity can help to keep your body mobile and regulate your metabolism.
Other health problems
Spending the majority of your day sitting down has also been linked to poor circulation and varicose veins. To prevent these health conditions from developing, try to avoid sitting with your legs crossed and change your position as often as you can. Doing gentle yoga exercises in your chair can also help to promote healthy blood flow. There’s no getting around the fact that if you work in an office, sitting down is hard to avoid. However, by following helpful tips like these, you can minimise the health risks and enjoy a more productive working day.
