If you constantly work while sitting in one place, then most probably you must be facing the problem of musculoskeletal disorder. This is a physical condition where an individual experiences aches due to sitting in the same posture for a long time. This is one of the major health concerns in workplaces, which causes various issues in the body.
Therefore, you must take a break from your work at a specific interval and perform some physical activities to prevent such health issues. In this regard, we have provided some effective Desk stretches for office workers
What Are The Potential Risks Of Sitting Too Long?
Before you proceed to explore the desk stretches to perform at your offices, it is essential to know the consequences if you keep on working for a long time. Here, you have to note that our body is made to move, not to stay still in one place like a tree. Therefore, you have to keep on moving even at work to avoid musculoskeletal disorders.
If you avoid doing physical activities, your body may start to create discomfort like pain in your joints, which may also spread to your back and even to your neck. Therefore, experts say that prolonged sitting in one place or following a wrong posture can cause some serious damage to your body that may last for life.
Some recent studies have also shown that sitting for a long time in one place can cause various deadly diseases, which may include heart-related issues and even cancer.
So, it is recommended to take a break from work every 30 to 45 minutes and walk for three to four minutes. Even while sitting, you can stretch various parts of the body, like the shoulders, neck, and elbows, to get relief from stress. Here, you can check the benefits of stretching at specific intervals during your prolonged work.
What Is The Importance Of Stretching In The Workplace?
A person who works while sitting for a long time may face acne in various parts of the body. To tackle this problem, an individual may perform various physical activities or even stand in one place. Following these simple procedures will benefit you in several ways that we have discussed below.
- Stretching can increase blood flow in joints and muscles, which makes you feel less tired.
- Taking small breaks while just walking can help you revitalize your mind and make you feel refreshed.
- Performing simple physical activities can increase productivity in the long run.
- Stretching various muscles keeps you free from discomfort while making you feel good.
Stretching not only provides comfort to your body parts, it also increases your concentration level and keeps you happy. This results in improved relationships with your co-workers, and even you achieve success faster.
Best Desk Stretches To Improve Your Efficiency At Work
By now, you might have understood the importance of engaging in physical activities during long work. In addition to this, it is also essential to perform all the scratches correctly to avoid injuries. Therefore, we have provided an effective workout that you can implement at a specific time period.
1. Stretch Your Arms And Elbows
If you sit in front of your computer for a long time, then you might be experiencing pain in your arms and legs. Here, you can use the one-arm hug technique to get relief from aches that are usually caused by keeping your arms in a fixed position while typing.
Use your hands to push your elbow on either side of the body and hold in for at least 30 seconds. Repeat this process 4 to 6 times with each arm while sitting in your chair and leave them free for some time.
2. Twist Your Head In All The Directions
Another body part that expresses stress during work is your neck. To make them relax, you can twist your head first in front and back while repeating 5 to 6 times and then on either side of your shoulder.
After performing this step, rotate your head in a circular direction, first in the clock and then anti-clock, to feel fresh and energetic.
3. Shrug Your Shoulders While Repeating
Here is another exercise that you can perform while sitting on your chair at the office. You just need to shrug your shoulders 5 to 10 times while keeping your upper body straight.
Additionally, you can also rotate them clockwise and anti-clockwise for a better result.
4. Twist Your Spine To Improve Back Posture
Sitting for a long time on a chair can also affect your spinal cord, which can cause chronic issues. While sitting on your chair, cross your leg and turn your upper body to the opposite of the leg that is on top. Repeat the same for the other side, following the stress for 30 seconds for 3 to 4 times.
5. Apply Torso Stretching Practice
Torso stretching is another exercise to get rid of backache, which is caused by constantly sitting in one place. To perform this exercise, you prefer to sit on the bench, or you can even stand in one place while holding both your hands upwards. Now bend on either side and repeat the procedure for 8 to 10 times.
6. Twist Your Ankle And Wrist In A Circular Direction
Typing or even working on the table may also create strain on your wrists and even your ankles. Here, you can frequently twist your ankle and wrist in a circular direction, clockwise and anticlockwise.
Final Words
You must be a hard worker and might have the ability to sit and work for a long period. Though you might not have experienced any physical problems at the current time, it may cause you in the long run.
Incorporating these desk stretches into your routine can bring a refreshing boost to your workday, promoting comfort and productivity for a more balanced and energized office experience.
Many studies suggest that sitting in the same position for prolonged periods can cause various health issues. Therefore, it is essential to take a break from your work and perform some physical activities to stay fit during work. This may help you to stay fresh and energetic, which ultimately helps you increase your productivity.
References
- Vieira E.R., Serra M.V.G.B., de Almeida L.B., Villela W.V., Scalon J.D., Quemelo P.R.V. Symptoms and risks for musculoskeletal disorders among male and female footwear industry workers. Int. J. Ind. Ergon. 2015;48:110–116. doi: 10.1016/j.ergon.2015.05.001. [CrossRef]
- Burton W.N., Conti D.J., Chen C.Y., Schultz A.B., Edington D.W. The role of health risk factors and disease on worker productivity. J. Occup. Environ. Med. 1999;41:863–877. doi: 10.1097/00043764-199910000-00007. [PubMed]
