How is YOUR posture when you work? Essential advice!!

Health and Wellness


CHAIR ADJUSTMENTS



Contrary to popular belief, sitting, which most people believe is relaxing, is hard on the back. Sitting for long periods of time can cause increased pressure on the intervertebral discs — the spongy discs between the vertebra. Sitting is also hard on the feet and legs. Gravity tends to pool blood in the legs and feet and create a sluggish return to the heart.



The following recommendations can help increase comfort for computer users:



"Dynamic sitting", don’t stay in one static position for extended periods of time.

When performing daily tasks, alternate between sitting and standing or take small walking breaks throughout the day.

The chair back should have a lumbar support

Adjust height of backrest to support the natural inward curve of the lower back.

It may be useful to use a rolled towel, lumbar roll or cushion to support the low back.

The angle of the back rest is subjective but the trunk and upper legs should form an angle between 90 to 115 degrees.

Adjust height of chair so feet rest flat on floor

Sit upright in the chair with the low back against the backrest and the shoulders touching the backrest.

Thighs should be parallel to the floor and knees at about the same level as the hips.

Back of knees should not come in direct contact with the edge of the seat pan. There should be 2-4 inches between the edge of the seat and the back of the knee

Arm rests should be removable and the distance between the arm rests should be adjustable.

Adjust height and/or width of armrests so they allow the user to rest arms at their sides and relax/drop their shoulders while keyboarding.

Don’t use armrests to slouch. Also, chair arms should not noticeably elevate your shoulders or force you to move your arms away from your body to use them.

Elbows and lower arms should rest lightly on armrests so as not to cause circulatory or nerve problems.

Use a footrest when attempts to adjust your chair and the rest of the workstation fail to keep your feet on the ground.

Ensure that you have some space (2-3") between the top of your thighs and the underside of your workstation.

Have enough space under your work surface so that you can pull your self all the way up to the edge of the desk with room for your legs and knees to fit comfortably.

Working from Home.... the real deal

WORKING FROM HOME: What are my options?

THE TRUTH ABOUT WORKING FROM HOME: IS IT FOR ME?


This blog is dedicated to my new website and to those who choose to work from home. Helpful article and tips will be found around the site, so please visit and see if out sponsers have anything you can use to improve your work at home experience! If not, that's okay, just browse the site and before you know it you will be learning how to do all sorts of things you didn't think were possible.

Some of the areas of interest are:

Working from home ergonomically by providing information regarding positioning, office furniture, correct work methods.

Making sure your mind and spirit are in the right place, by providing information about meditation and yoga, two methods of stilling the mind. In these hectic days with all of the information you are about to receive, a clear and present mind is essential.

Develop and implement time management skills. Many people, including myself, have felt overwhemeled by even the simplest of tasks. Utilizing tools and teaching skills for time management, you will discover more work getting done, and less stress!


We will also recommend tested products from time to time based on the work at home environment . These products have been tested and reviewed by our panel of contributors, and are legitimate products and websites that have been scanned and are virus free.

Currently I am promoting a meditation program from Holothink titles "Deep Zen". It is a fast an easy way for the stay at home worker to get in the right frame of mind. Download the demo to see what I mean. I liked it quite a bit, and therefore and recommending it to others.

NOTE FROM LAURA:

For an incredibly effective downloadable meditation program, try Deep Zen!
To connect to their website, Click Here!

Happy Holidays,

Laura