4 Little Changes That’ll Make A Big Difference To Your Improve Posture While Working From Home

Looking after your health while working from home is crucial but just as important is improving your posture. The COVID-19 pandemic caused so many of us into having to pivot from office work to remote working and not everybody was ready for that.

A boost in the digital acceleration of that kind was unprecedented and left many of us working from kitchen tables, sofas, and slouched up in bed – not ideal ergonomically.

Here are five small changes that will make the world of difference to your posture whilst working from home.

1. Invest In An Office Desk

Working from home might well be the ‘new normal’, so don’t expect it to disappear anytime soon. There is only so long you can sit slouched in your bed for seven-and-a-half hours a day. Therefore, invest in a brand-new office desk – or maybe even a standing desk– to ensure you are more productive and protecting your posture while working from home. Ideally, there should be plenty of room for your legs underneath your desk to sit comfortably, while the desk itself should always be positioned an arm’s length away from you.

2. Find The Right Office Chair

Your posture largely depends on how you are sat, so this might be the most important tip of them all. The right office chair will enable you to sit comfortably for prolonged periods while working from home and can ideally fully support your spine with an adjustable back and height. Try not to slouch in your new office chair as this can cause aches and pains in your back owing to poor posture. If you are struggling with back pain, then it is probably best to see a chiropractor. To avoid pain, try to keep your hips as close to the back of the chair as you can.

3. Position Your Arms And Legs Properly

Ideally, your arms should be able to comfortably rest on the desk allowing you to easily control your mouse and keyboard. If you find that you are strained or stretching to do this, then you might want to adjust your sitting position. Your legs should be uncrossed and at a near 90° angle to ensure you maintain a good posture. If they can’t quite touch the floor, then a footrest might be what you need to provide the ultimate comfort.  

4. Get Up And Exercise

As much as all these tips will help you to maintain a good posture while working from home, nothing beats getting up, stretching off, and doing a bit of exercise. Make the most of your lunch breaks and take a walk around the block or go for a quick jog to get your steps up. Just remember to return to the set-up you left behind before your break and ensure you continue to practice good posture – as it’ll only benefit you in the long run.

Remember, these are only small changes but they could make a massive difference in improving your posture while working from home.