There are links between having a bad posture and your productivity while working according to an expert, who shares some advice on the best way to fix your sitting position
Working from home can make life easier for many – but it could be wreaking havoc on your posture.
When in an office you usually sit much better at a desk, with proper chairs, rather than crouched over your dining table on a chair that probably isn’t doing much good for your posture. A viral trend on TikTok called “Corporate Prawn” has been widely discussed online, with people complaining about their posture while working, and comparing themselves to a prawn. To help with this, office furniture experts Slouch have partnered with osteopath and performance coach James Davies, who shares why poor posture is bad for you and how it can impact your work productivity.
James explained: “Poor posture occurs when the body expends too much energy to maintain a position, causing some areas of the body to overwork, disrupting important mechanisms in the body, such as breathing patterns. While it’s widely known that poor posture can cause physical discomfort, its effects on productivity are often underestimated.”
He noted keeping a good posture isn’t as simple as saying “keep your back straight” as everyone is unique and influenced by their “internal structure”. By having a bad posture can affect work performance and productivity as it can lead to chronic pain in the back, neck and shoulders.
James said this pain can become a “constant distraction”, while slouching and hunching can “limit lung capacity, restrict breathing and reduce oxygen intake. This can lead to fatigue and headaches – which can then further decrease productivity, while a good posture allows your body to function efficiently.
“Notice how you feel after sitting for long periods. If something doesn’t feel right, take action by getting up and taking a break. Regular mini breaks are crucial to give your body a chance to recover and maintain productivity,” James said, and shared some advice for improving your posture while working remotely.
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Focus on ergonomics: Ensure you’re making ergonomic adjustments to your desk chair and desk setup, including your equipment such as keyboards, and secondary screens if you work from a laptop and mice.
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Regular movements: Incorporating regular movements can prevent stiffness and improve circulation, it may also give you some well-needed time away from your screen to relax and reset before returning to work.
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Breathing exercises: Exercises such as deep belly breathing can reduce stress and enhance your overall well-being. Incorporating rest and relaxation into your daily routine is crucial. Taking mini-breaks throughout the day helps shift your body into ‘rest and digest’ mode, promoting relaxation and recovery.
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Yoga and Pilates: These exercises are great for improving your posture and can make a big difference in your everyday life, even just practising the most simple poses will lead to an improvement.
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Chest openers: Exercises that open your chest, such as slightly raising your chin and spreading your arms whilst taking deep breaths without raising your shoulders can help relieve muscle and joint pressure, and improve breathing efficiency.
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Neck exercises: Tilting your ear to your shoulder and holding for 10 seconds on each side whilst sitting, or shoulder rolls can help relieve tension whilst working.
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