Thankfully, businesses are realizing the importance of ergonomics in the work place. People who have ergonomic furniture in the workplace not only are in better health, but they also are more productive.We have more energy and are more productive when we feel better.We have to deal with the pain and fatigue in our lives by taking pain relievers, drinking soda and coffee and visiting our doctors more often. There is no doubt that ergonomic office products will help workers get more done and feel better while doing it.
Ergonomics is the science of fitting a task to the person who is doing that task. For example, if a person is sitting at a computer desk all day long, there are certain muscles and tendons that have a tendency to be stressed, pulled and tensed.Not only are the fingers affected by working on the keyboard, but the hands, shoulders and back can also feel the tension. Many people do not realize that when one part of the body is under tension or in pain, other muscles will be affected as they try to compensate for the stress being placed on the body. So, what may start off as a hand problem can then begin to cause problems in the wrist, and then the arm, and then move up into the shoulders, neck and finally the back will begin to ache.
An osteopathic doctor treats looks at the body as a whole unit working together. Therefore, when one body system, such as the muscular system, is stressed, other body systems, such as digestion or circulation, will feel this stress and also begin to be affected by the weakened system. Doctors of osteopath strongly believe that the body is capable of healing itself, although it may need some help in such ways as diet, posture and occupational advice.
Therefore, we can help our bodies to be healthy and healed if we will do the things our bodies need.As an example, our bodies are not going to feel good if we consistently eat unhealthy food because they are not going to get the nutrition they need to function properly.By providing proper nutrition to our bodies, we are providing them with immediate support.Our bodies begin to heal when we provide the proper minerals, fiber, protein, vitamins, fats and carbohydrates, and the results are amazing. Drinking too much coffee, energy drinks, soda, sweets, and fats may help us feel better for an hour or two. However, this is a false sense of energy and soon thereafter, our bodies will demand rest. We will then crash and perhaps get a headache or feel extremely sluggish.Our productivity will then begin to diminish substantially during this time.
Another thing to realize is how we actually sit in our office chairs. We should have our feet firmly planted on the ground while we work and our backs should be resting against the back of the chair in an upright position. An ergonomic chair is best, as it will adjust to the correct height and allow the user to move the armrests, back and height as needed.
One particular muscle that tends to feel strained during office work is the neck. It is most helpful to gently turn the head from side to side and also up and down every half hour or so. A timer on the computer can be set up to go off every half hour to remind the worker to do this exercise.Strain will then be taken off the neck muscles and the tension will be gone.
Stretching sore muscles periodically throughout the day will take the tension off of the muscles that are used the most and give them a much-needed rest. Taking a short walk, drinking plenty of water, and working in a comfortable temperature that is neither too hot nor too cold will all help workers to feel better throughout the day. In order to keep the energy level balanced, it is helpful to have a small protein snack every couple of hours. Too many snacks with carbohydrates will only cause a sugar rush and then extreme fatigue and fogginess will set in.
Productivity, or lack thereof, is definitely affected by getting sufficient sleep. According to statistics, nearly 22 million Americans are working evenings, swing shifts, rotating shifts and on-call shifts.Because of the lack of normal sleep patterns, many workers suffer from Shift Work Sleep Disorder (SWSD).This syndrome causes workers to be very tired during their working hours, but unable to sleep later.Negative behavior, lack of productivity and decreased health are all results of SWSD.
It’s not hard to take care of our bodies.We wonder what is wrong when we continue to push our bodies to the limit and then our health begins to suffer.In order to be more productive, enjoy life and have a positive attitude, eat nutritious foods, get enough exercise and rest and practice good ergonomics.
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