​4 Keys to Feeling Better at Work

Tips for Desk Workers 
Everyone knows that sitting at a desk and staring a computer screen for 8 hours a day isn't ideal for our bodies to feel their best. And we aren't all lucky enough to have a fancy standing or treadmill desk to help get us out of a chair. We have outlined 4 key strategies for you to use today to help yourself be healthier, happier, and feel better at work. Here they are:

 1. Posture 
Notice how you are sitting right now as you are reading this.  Are your shoulders rounded forward?  Are you slouching in your chair? Is your neck jutting out like a turtle or craned downward to look at your phone?
 
Most of us are guilty of having terrible posture for much of our day. The good news is that little changes are just as cumulative as our bad posture is, and they make a big impact over time!
 
Start with these corrections:

• Roll your shoulders down and back, like you're trying to slide your shoulder blades into your back pockets.
• Engage your core. By tightening your stomach muscles you will automatically be sitting up straighter.
• Check your head position.  Make sure it is centered between your shoulders and not tilted to either side or sticking out to the front. Also, take a look in a mirror or ask someone to help you make sure that what you think is straight actually is! We get used to how a certain position feels and it can be hard to tell if we have fully corrected it.

 
2. Stretch your body    
The front of our body gets so tightened that it fights against us keeping our shoulders back. Opening it up helps relieve stress and discomfort in the upper back and between the shoulder blades. 
 
 Some easy, super helpful stretches to open the front side of your body:

• Use a doorway to extend your arms against and slightly push forward, feeling a nice stretch in your chest and sometimes into your arms as well.  
• Great bathroom break stretch - Clasp your hands behind your back and pull your shoulders down and back.  If comfortable, lift your hands towards the ceiling for a deeper stretch.  
• Make it a combo stretch by looking up toward the ceiling-as long as it isn't painful.  
• Hours go by and you haven't moved from staring at that screen. Set an alarm for once an hour to remind you to check your posture and to do some stretches. 
• All of the mini breaks will give your body the reprieve it needs and will only take a few minutes away from your workday. It's a really good trade!  

3. Movement
Exercise doesn't have to be a big workout at the gym.  A simple walk around the office at lunchtime can be huge, especially when you are sitting all day long. Not only will it burn some calories, but it does double duty as a stress reducer as well! Since many of us carry stress in our neck and shoulders, reducing it can equal less pain in those areas.
 
4. Water, Please! 
Water is one of your body's best friends, and for many of us it is no longer a close friendship.  Dehydrated muscles are less supple and more prone to inflammation...which means more discomfort for you. Keep water at your desk and remember to sip on it throughout the day. Ahhh,that's better!
 
So, there you have it. Four easy tips for helping your body endure your workday! Remember to set your alarm to get started on these changes. The faster you implement them, the faster you will start to feel the difference.
 
If you want to kick the "feel good" up a few notches, you can set another reminder to talk to your boss or HR manager about bringing massage into the office.  Just 15 minutes of chair massage has been proven to greatly reduce stress and discomfort levels, as well as the added bonus of giving a big boost to the office morale!
 
One therapist or a team of therapists will come to your office to deliver some stress reducing, headache busting, neck and shoulder relieving, day making chair massage.  We can set up a wellness program or an Employee Appreciation Day. 
 
Call Carrie (502)216-9299 for more information or to set up a day of massage that won't soon be forgotten! Because...LESS STRESS WORKS!