Reposted on April 1, 2014 in Honor of National Workplace Wellness Week
By Erica Marcano, MS ATC, CSCS | Originally posted on October 14, 2013.
Do you experience headaches during the workweek that seem to disappear over the weekend?
You’ve probably attributed these to the stress of your job, but did you know that tension headaches often occur from physical tension, not mental tension? The position in which you spend your workday may be the largest contributing factor to the headaches you’re experiencing.
Although many people don’t realize it, they often spend eight or more hours a day in a position that is not the most conducive to their health. While you won’t be able to change everything about your work environment, Professional’s Devon Taylor, Certified Ergonomics Assessment Specialist, shares a few simple tips to get you through even your most difficult workdays..
Small Adjustments Go a Long Way
Each time you get in your car, you probably make adjustments to your seat and your side and rearview mirrors. But the majority of people don’t do the same at their desks, regardless if someone else may have been sitting or working there while they were out. By simply adjusting the height of your seat and the height of the arms of your seat, as well as the distance of your computer monitor, you can make a difference, and be setting yourself up in the working position that’s most beneficial to your body.
Red Light, Green Light
Ergonomic Specialists view your workspace as being divided into two zones: the green zone and the red zone. Your green zone, which is easily accessible from your ideal working position, should contain all the items that you reach for often, while your red zone contains lesser used items. By making this simple adjustment in set-up, you can reduce repetitive motions that may lead to overuse injuries.
Call an Expert
If you’re currently in Physical Therapy, your insurance will actually cover a visit to your workplace by an Ergonomic Specialist, who will assess your workspace and work habits, suggest alterations, and provide you with a written report detailing the entire experience. You can also find out whether your company offers this type of service to you already, just by consulting someone from your Human Resources Department.
While you may not be able to change the amount of stress that your manager, or your workload creates, on any given day, you can always use these tips to change the physical tension from it!
