For a lot of us this time of year means it’s time to hit the books. Exams are just around the corner and final assessments are due. This often equates to many hours sitting at a desk, staring at screens & books, cramming all night. Not only is it mentally taxing, it takes a toll physically on your body.
Research tells us spending 6-8hrs a day in front of a computer can lead to shoulder, arm, hand and neck problems. The next common complaint is low back pain. We aren’t designed to sit for long periods of time!
Here are some helpful tips from the team at Granger Chiropractic to make exams a little less stressful for your body:
1. Take breaks – getting up from your desk once every 30 minutes to move and stretch out your muscles for 1-2 minutes.
2. Set up your workstation ergonomically – have screens at eye level.
3. Have your chair set at a height that keeps your feet flat on the floor.
4. Have a chair that offers some lumbar support to encourage sitting up straight.
5. Your elbows should be relaxed and tucked in at the side, wrists relaxed.
6. If you can, stand at the desk and work – alternate between sitting and standing.
7. Use an anti-glare filter or red light filter to aid in focus and fatigue. Good products can be found online to download free.
