Mothers spend a great deal of time teaching their children how to do things – how to walk, talk, eat properly, have good manners – the list goes on and on. However, as people grow older, they don’t follow the same healthy guidelines that their mothers taught them. In fact, it’s easy to forget simple things when we are busy at work, trying to get things done and make a living. By remembering some simple things, however, and using proper ergonomic guidelines, everyone can live healthier lives and be more successful at work.

The body can only tolerate about twenty minutes of sitting in one position. After that time, the body needs to adjust. Too often, office workers sit for hours without moving at all. Then, when they get up and move, they are sore and achy. Back pain is the number two reason for Americans to visit their doctors. More than $90 billion is spent annually on health care expenses due to backaches according to a 2004 report from Duke University.

If you sit for hours at a time, most of your weight is going to the vertebrae of your lower back. This causes unreasonable pressure to your back and can result in a pinched nerve. Also, other parts of the body will be affected by this great amount of pressure and this can cause serious problems. Your arms, hands, wrists, legs, knees and feet can all be affected by improper seating at the desk.

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If you sit for long periods of time at your job, there are some things you can do to help. First of all, it will help if you move around in your chair occasionally, changing positions and shifting your weight. If you are on the phone a great deal of the time, stand while on the phone to give your seat a break. If you will get out of your chair every half hour or so, even if it’s just to walk around the office for a couple of minutes, you will find yourself feeling better. You won’t be sorry for taking small breaks throughout the day.

Your office chair should give your back and body lots of support. You will find that high back office chairs will give your back the best support. These chairs contact your entire back, relieving pressure from your neck all the way down to your legs. Your body should be able to fit a perfect fit with the available adjustments, regardless of your weight or height.

Your feet should rest easily on the floor. A shorter person may need a footrest. No longer will your back, feet and legs feel such great pressure. Also, your head should be parallel with your computer screen. This will prevent your neck from straining to look either up or down for long periods of time.

If you find that you are sitting too high or too low, you may want to invest in a ergonomic computer desk. These adjustable desks will enable you to find the perfect height for your chair and computer.

It’s also worthwhile to remember that the way you work will affect the rest of your life. If you take the time to sit properly, give your body rest and use good ergonomic tools, you will find that you feel better at the end of the day. Of course, the opposite of this is also true, so it’s best to take care of yourself so you will have the energy to do things that interest you and enjoy good health throughout your life.

While taking care of yourself may take some extra thought and time, it will be worth it in the long run. When we feel well, we are more productive and have a much better attitude. Our families and associates appreciate and respect us when we treat ourselves right. Taking the time to sit correctly each day will go a long way in giving your body better overall health.