Wellness Tips
"Motion is Life"
These simple movements or daily routines can end up hurting you if you're not careful. Make sure to do these simple activities the right way as outlined below:
Standing
Posture. Posture. Posture. Make sure that you keep your chin up and don't slouch. If you know that you are going to be standing for a long period of time, make sure that you wear comfortable shoes.
Working at a desk
Make sure that you are getting up every 20 minutes to stretch and move around the room. The type of chair you have is extremely important. It should fit you correctly so that your back touches the chair and your feet are on the floor with knees at a 90-degree angle. Try to avoid looking down at your computer screen. It should be at eye level.
Sitting
Make sure you have a supportive chair. When you are forced to sit for an extended period, for instance, at a desk job, make sure to get up and stretch every 20 minutes and move around the room. Sit with your back against the chair, feet firmly on the floor. Do not cross your legs.
Lifting
Lifting objects is one of the most common ways to injure yourself. Even if it is a light object, twisting or pulling in the wrong direction when you're not stretched out can have a damaging effect on muscles and the spine. You always want to bend at the knees and avoid lifting anything you know is too heavy.
Overall Physical Activity
If you know that you are going to be working or playing for a while, make sure that you are adequately stretched out and warmed up. Even if it's something light like gardening or just pushing your child on a bike, it's easy to pull something if you're not warmed up.
Talking on the phone
If you're forced to use the telephone for an extended period, a speaker or a headset is a must. Try to avoid cradling the phone between your neck and shoulder, as this could cause problems to the muscles or vertebrae in that area.
Resting or sleeping
Straining your neck or back while you're sleeping is a very common occurrence. We often fall asleep in strange positions where we are not supported properly or our necks are at an odd angle. Make sure that if you are going to nap or watch tv in bed, that you are in a supportive position.