If you spend most of your day sitting at a desk, it’s important to take care of your physical and mental health. Poor posture and prolonged sitting can lead to issues such as neck and back pain, eye strain, and decreased productivity. It even affects your mood!
In this article, we’ll share some secrets for maintaining a healthy desk work setup, including tips for improving your posture, taking breaks, staying hydrated, and more. Whether you work in an office or at home, these tips will help you feel more comfortable and productive while you work.
There are many things you can do to work at a desk in a healthier way:
Take regular breaks from desk work
It’s important to take breaks and step away from your desk regularly. This helps reduce eye strain, neck and back pain, as well as other issues that arise from sitting in one position for long periods of time. Consider setting a timer to remind you to take a break every hour or so.
Practice good posture when seated at your desk
This one’s a real lifesaver. Make sure you’re sitting up straight and that your feet are flat on the ground. Use a chair that supports your back (especially that lower back) and adjust the height of your chair and desk so that your elbows are at a 90-degree angle when you are typing.
Use a standing desk
Standing desks allow you to work while standing up. This helps reduce the risk of back and neck pain, and improves your overall health. Why? Because standing is the most natural position for our body. If you don’t have a standing desk, you can try standing up and stretching during your breaks or setting up a makeshift standing desk using a high table or counter. Check out Woody Lab’s signature hardwood standing desks if you’re looking for the most gorgeous height-adjustable desks.
Exercise regularly
This isn’t just advice for desk workers. Our bodies need exercise. It needs to move to feel alive. Regular exercise can help improve your overall health and reduce the negative effects of sitting at a desk all day. Consider going for a walk or doing some stretching during your breaks.
Stay hydrated
Like exercise, our bodies need water. Drinking plenty of water can help improve your energy and concentration, and it’s important to stay hydrated when you are sitting at a desk all day. Keep a water bottle nearby and aim to drink at least eight glasses of water per day.
Take care of your eyes
Staring at a screen for long periods of time can cause eye strain. To reduce eye strain, try to take breaks every 20 minutes and look at something in the distance for 20 seconds. You can also use the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break and look at something 20 feet away.