Who do you know who works at a computer all day long? Think about that for a minute. Perhaps you’ve got quite the list! And maybe you’re one of “those people” who have a desk job and utilize a computer screen for 8 or more hours daily. If so, don’t let computer use be a pain in the neck.
It can be easy to experience neck stiffness if you sit in a fixed position for a long period of time. Indeed, working at a desk can lead to neck and back pain. The monitor could be too far away, too low, too high, too small, or too dim. And when that happens, your posture suffers. You end up bending your neck in such a way that your head is exerting too much force on your neck. Your joints and muscles get strained. Your breathing suffers, and, in the end, even your mood is affected– and not for the better!
You should think about ergonomics– the efficiency and comfort level associated with a workstation. There are certain desk chairs that are ergonomically designed to lessen your neck/back strain… and there are things to think about when it comes to where you sit and how you sit. For instance, is the monitor positioned so you’re not straining to see things on it? Are the mouse and keyboard in a position so you’re not reaching up to use them? Does the chair you sit in/on allow you to maintain the normal curves in your spine? When seated, do your feet touch the ground as they should? These are all things to consider when sitting for long periods of time at a desk job.
In order to support good health and posture, you should make sure to get up from your seated position every half hour or so. Perhaps set a timer to remind you to get out of your seat and move around. Take a walk if you can. Stretch and loosen up your muscles. Look at something else for a couple minutes so you’re not always having your eyes on the screen for hours on end. And, if possible, create a standing workstation. These are all good ways to avoid neck and back strain at work!
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