Your posture throughout the day can affect how you feel both mentally and physically, and it’s far too easy to acquire bad habits when you sit at a desk all day. Bad posture can lead to issues like headaches, muscle tightness, and neck, shoulder, and back pain. To avoid the long-term consequences of slouching and transform your posture, check out the tips below.

A Guide to Healthy Posture at Your Desk

1. Position Desk Items

Repetitive movements like reaching across your desk for items like your stapler, documents, mouse, or phone over and over throughout the day can put unnecessary stress on the muscles and spine. To avoid back pain and overworking your body, place items you often reach for in close range. 

2. Take Breaks 

Our bodies are meant to move, and sitting for hours on end can inhibit circulation and put strain on your back. Make a point to stretch every 20 to 30 minutes, and try to get up and walk for a few minutes once an hour. This will help keep muscles limber, ward off tension, and give your eyes a break from staring at a screen. 

3. Be Aware of Your Screen

The position of your screen is vital to having good posture at your desk. If yours is too low, looking slightly down can place strain on your neck and lead to headaches or cervical strain. To make sure your screen is in the right place, sit upright and stare straight ahead at your screen. You should be looking right at the center of your screen while sitting up straight and comfortably, so raise your screen to eye level by placing it on books or a riser.

4. Position Your Keyboard 

Your keyboard should be directly in front of you, and its height should be adjustable. You shouldn’t have to reach to touch the keys—keep them at a comfortable distance in front of you. A keyboard with feet that can be adjusted to a comfortable angle for your sitting position is ideal. 

5. Sit Up Straight 

Slouching or sitting with your head held forward puts strain on your neck and spine. Your head is heavy and bringing it forward, even slightly, puts pounds of pressure on your muscles and spine. Repeatedly sitting like this can lead to headaches, back pain, and neck problems. Focus on sitting up straight at your desk to take stress off your back and relieve muscle tension. 

Are you in need of excellent chiropractic care? At North Pole Chiropractic in Alaska, they offer top-quality chiropractic services like sciatica treatment, treatment for neck and back pain, X-rays, massage therapy, and treatment for sports or automobile injuries. They are a 5-star reviewed company, and they offer convenient same-day appointments. To learn more about how they can help you, visit their website or call (907) 488 -1885 today.