11:26 am
5/21
Simple Exercises to Relieve ‘Computer Stress’
I’d bet many of us spend the daily 8 hours in front of a computer at work and then go home and spend another six gaming or surfing. Spending so much time on one position, it’s easy to find ourselves slouching or rolling our shoulders resulting in sore muscles. We know we shouldn’t, but we do it anyway. Here’s a refresher on some simple exercises we can do to increase circulation and minimize the physical stresses of the daily grind:
- First of all, sit up properly with back straight and shoulders back. The top of your monitor should be at eye-level. Hopefully your chair has lumbar support or you can use an orthopedic pillow to fill in. Adjust your chair so your feet are flat on the floor with your knees level with your hips.
- Squeeze a stress ball or hand gripper from time to time, maybe while reading and not using your hands on the keyboard. This helps your hands and wrists from getting stiff and can help prevent carpal tunnel.
- Stretch out your arms to the sides, pointing your thumbs up and back, pulling your shoulders back and correcting that hunched over position we easily slump into.
- You want to get up and walk every 30 minutes to an hour. Just a short walk around the office, to the water fountain, to get more coffee will do.
- Let your eyes focus on something other than the screen. Look out the window or across the room. You can do this while you’re taking that walk as well.
- While seated, roll your wrists and ankles every now and then.
- Lean your head forward and slowly move it left to right, right to left, stretching those stiff neck muscles.
- Contract your abs and glutes, holding them for a few seconds and then release. A good point about this move is no one can really tell what you’re doing so you can repeat it every few minutes throughout the day.
- Hold the frame of a doorway and lean forward. This stretches your arms and shoulders.
To give the neck a stretch, turn your head and torso each way like you’re looking behind you. - Also, a large ball style desk chair is effective for keeping that back straight and those abs firm.
If you’re feeling extra ambitious and don’t mind comedic co-worker commentary, the standard push-up and sit-up is helpful for whole body circulation.
Find ergonomic chairs and stability balls at Smarter.
Image Source: SafetyConcepts.com.au
