Feeling a little tense after sitting behind a desk all day long? Eye fatigue, neck pain and back strain are all common symptoms of spending a long, stressful day at the office.
One of the best ways to keep your back healthy while sitting is to take frequent breaks and walk around, according to the Texas Back Institute.
Taking breaks can be hard if you''re in the middle of a task and aren''t aware you''ve been sitting still for a few hours, according to Dr. Nayan Patel with the Texas Back Institute.
"If you sit still too long and forget to take breaks, set a timer to go off every 30 minutes to remind you to get up and walk around," said Patel. "On your break, try some light back stretching exercises and walk around your office to get a change of scenery for a few minutes. You''ll feel refreshed and ready to work again."
Patel suggests the following tips for refreshing and rejuvenating yourself at work:
- Cover your eyes: lean your elbows on your desk. Cup you hands and place them lightly over your closed eyes. Hold for a minute while breathing deeply in and out. Slowly uncover your eyes.
- Squeeze your shoulders: push your hands up with forearms raised. Push your arms back, squeezing your shoulder blades. Hold for a few seconds. Relax and repeat three times.
- Shake your arms: drop your arms and hands at your sides. Shake them out gently for a few seconds. Relax and repeat three times.
by Virginia Foran