subject: Staying Healthy At Your Desk Job [print this page] Your body takes quite a beating when you work at a desk job all day. Thankfully, there are some things you can do to help prevent health problems. Being aware of the potential issues can let you know what steps you can take throughout the day to give your body the support it needs to stay healthy and feel good at the end of the day. Also, your body will appreciate you taking the time to care for it like it deserves
Being inactive throughout the day causes most of the problems of having a desk job. Minimum physical movement can cause the body is get stiff and sore. The way to avoid this is to make certain that you get up and move around throughout your day. While this doesn't require much time or space, it does mean that you must remember to do it. A timer can help you remember to move. Regardless of how busy you are, take a few minutes to move around.
One area that often gets sore when working at a desk job is your back. Weight from your body will settle on the vertebrae of the lower back and could potentially cause damage. Strain to the lumbar muscle can develop along with degenerative discs. Your back will become weak and therefore, can become easily injured.
The best way to avoid this is to stretch your back muscles at least once an hour. You can do this by standing, and gently bending your upper and lower back backward. Take a brief pause for just a few seconds between bends and then release. You can give your back a rest from sitting and provide some movement by taking the stairs to the restroom or vending machines.
Hand problems are also very common when we work at the office all day. Trigger fingers, carpal tunnel syndrome and tendonitis are the most common complaints. Opening and closing your hands several times throughout the day, as well as shaking your hands can help you avoid some of these health problems. It can also help to rotate your wrist palm up and then palm down while keeping your elbow steady.
One other form of strain to the body at a desk job is the neck. Strain in the neck area affects the discs of the spinal column. Tremendous pain can follow if a slipped disc moves into the core of connective tissue. The best way to avoid this is to slowly turn your head to the right as far as it will go and then to the left. Avoid the temptation to hold the phone between your shoulder and neck while you talk. Instead, get a headset to avoid this scenario and thus stop injury to your neck.
Be sure and maintain a good posture and plan to get some exercise at least three times a week. To avoid health hazards at your desk job, you have to be proactive in avoiding them. Being conscious of how your body feels and using preventive measures can help. By taking the time to think about it, you can enjoy your desk job while enjoying good health as well.
