COVID-19 has forced millions of people around the world to work from home. Many said the remote culture provides many benefits, from lower risks of coronavirus infections to less stress. But it also has negative effects.
Working from home helps people try new diets and physical activities to be healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, simply spending time in front of the computer could sabotage their healthy lifestyle.
That is because posture plays an important role in physical health. People who work for hours online may slowly and unconsciously slouch or contort the spine, which could contribute to micro-injuries that can affect a persons health and mood, according to Popular Science.
Bad posture has long been linked to sports injuries, such as pulled muscles and hamstrings. Studies also showed it could slow down recovery time from those injuries.
Even those who spend more time on their couch are also likely to suffer from injuries because of their posture. In 2013, researchers found that bad, forward-leaning head posture could worsen pre-existing pain and lead to more visits to the doctor.
A slumped posture also affects mental health. Psychology studies showed that it could give people bad moods, more negative thoughts and worse memory.
But there are easy ways to reduce the bad effects of bad posture. In fact, fixing it may help boost your health.
How To Get Good Posture
You should aim for a neutral spine. It is considered as the optimal position that helps people maintain a good posture and put less stress on the body as they stand, sit or sleep.
There are several steps to achieve a neutral spine. First, make sure your head, shoulders and hips are in line vertically.
Follow the three natural curves of the spine that require a slight inward curvature of the neck, the upper back curved gently out and the lower back curved gently in. Then focus on the muscles around your abdomen, pelvis and back to stabilize your core.
Your body and your muscles are like clay: whatever position you hold them in, they will mold into, Rudy Gehrman, a chiropractor and the CEO of New York-based Physio Logic, said. If you keep pressing on a little sapling tree in a certain direction, then its going to grow in that direction.
Aside from reducing the impacts of slouching, a correct posture may give more health benefits. It has been linked to reduced chronic pain, better breathing and improved mood and resilience to stress, among other positive effects.
Bad posture has been linked to sports injuries, such as pulled muscles and hamstrings. Pixabay
Read more here:
Bad Effects Of Working From Home That People Struggle To Avoid - Medical Daily
