Office Syndrome is a condition commonly suffered by individuals whose professions require prolonged hours seated in front of a computer screen. OS occurs when individuals do not practice proper posture, they slouch or hunch over a desk with rounded shoulders and a protruding chin. As a result, core muscles weaken and other muscle groups become increasingly tense which in turn can cause the following symptoms:
Frequent headaches
Neck, shoulder and back pain
Tingling, numb arms and hands
Eye strain
Dry eyes
Office Syndrome is increasingly affecting office workers and if left unaddressed it can lead to serious health problems such as depression, insomnia and inflexibility. It is not natural for us to spend so much time in the kinds of anatomical positions that we find ourselves in, and the long-term consequences can be debilitating for individuals and costly for employers.
How To Avoid Office Syndrome
If you have Office Syndrome here are some tips to help you:
Practice Proper Posture - Sit up straight with your shoulders back and down and your chin tucked to elongate your spine. Remember that good posture is important during office hours as well as during your down-time.
Adjust Positions - Prevent muscle fatigue and subsequent slouching by adjusting your position hourly. Stand up and periodically and take small walks around the office.
Arrange Ergonomically - Your feet should be flat on the floor or on a footrest. Your mouse and keyboard should be directly in front of you, at a comfortable distance, with your arms properly supported. Your computer screen should either be level to or slightly below your line of sight.
Stretch - Take short breaks throughout the day to stretch. Roll your shoulders, touch your toes and relax your jaw.
Exercise - Try to exercise every day for at least 30 minutes. During your workouts, try to increase your heart rate and focus on exercises that will help support your posture by strengthening your core muscle groups.
Massage Therapy - Book a massage with Siam Thai Therapy to ease muscle tension over the weekend following a long week in the office.