Sit. Stand. Walk.
Have you ever heard "sitting is the new smoking?" Have you wonder why? Although many people may not get excited, it's absolutely true. "We are sitting ourselves to death," says James Levine, a professor of medicine at the Mayo Clinic, and this is just one of many studies in this area.
Is recomendable not just sit or stand, but to also walk and move around.. And yes, move! That's a must!
It is not just about gaining weight, but also back, neck and sciatica pain, among many others illnesses (diabetes, stress, obesity, etc.), are related with sitting too long.
Take a short break from sitting about every 30-40 minutes.
Get up, go to drink water, open the window, stretch, when the phone rings stand up and stay standing during the call. Move around for a couple of minutes, do some knee exercises, keep the blood flowing. Find creative ways to walk more: Set an alarm on your cell phone to remind you to get up and move at least every hour.
Sit active and dynamic!
It means to avoid a frozen sitting posture. While sitting, try to switch between a forward, upright and reclined posture. Use the benefits of an ergonomic chair, the one we hope you have right now. Never forget: The intervertebral discs live/love the movement, so move, and, while sitting, shift your weight sometimes to the right, sometimes to the left buttock, rotate your hips, each one, as a small movement is good enough. Internet is full of free training: yoga, pilates, etc.
Ergonomic chair?
Great! If you use the full seat this will mean a happy back. No more option adjusting chair? Change then your posture more often, it will take the strain of you chair, it's like your underwear in direct contact with your buttocks.
The seat design must fit your needs. Try it and feel comfortable. It, has to be adapted to your individual needs.
What you need to be more attentive to when choosing your chair
Body well supported in all seating positions
Able to change seating positions
Seat height adjustment and suspension. It must be high enough to contain the shoulders
Design of the backrest, movement of the seat and backrest towards each other
Design of the armrests
Wheels. "Office chair" implies wheels, also called casters. Thomas Jefferson did a good job, he was inventor the of the first swivel chair!
Materials. Think about the heat of your own body. For that reason get a suitable upholstery and appropriate cover materials and surface structures.
Office work chairs should be designed for a body weight of at least 110 kg. If you're above that weight, ask for the specifications of the chair.
How to sit
Sitting on the edge of the chair? We are already living on the edge! Pay attention and sit proper!
Sit proper. You have all the surface to place your beautiful bottom.
To all edge-seaters: place your Buttocks in the middle of the chair
Please, feel free to use the full seat. Your back thanks you in advance
Change your posture more often. It will take the strain off you.
There is no right or wrong sitting. There is only NOT sitting too long! One sitting position for hours affects your spine, muscles and blood circulation.
Ergonomics
Sitting posture means the spinal column largely assumes its natural double shape. While sitting, try to tilts the pelvis slightly forward and to straight the thorax straightens slightly and the cervical spine. You will be able to breathe freely, your organs won’t be squeezed and your spine will be thankful.
