Health and Posture
Working from home and not using an office setup like a desk and chair? This has become quite common since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Though working from a comfortable couch or a bed may seem pretty relaxing, it sure has a lot of negative effects on your health.
Breathing : If you are working for long hours on your laptop, rounding of the shoulders and forward tilt of the head causes your chest muscles to tighten. This ultimately leads to breathing difficulties.
Blood Pressure : Research shows a neurological link between posture, blood pressure and pulse rate. Sitting for long hours, especially in a bad posture can raise your blood pressure.
Digestion : Back to work straight after lunch! Your boss likes it; your stomach, not so much. The slouched posture can cause misdirected flow of stomach acids, causing indigestion and even heartburns.
Headache : A bad posture puts pressure on your upper back, neck and head. If continued for a long time, headaches are almost inevitable.
Back Pain : Problems with spine and back pains are probably the most common form of profession-related health issues faced by those working for long hours in front of a computer or laptop. But in the post-pandemic era, almost everyone is doing the same. A bad posture puts pressure on your spine and the adjoining muscles. This can cause back pain and also problems with hip joints and discs.
So what should be your posture while working? The most important thing to remember is the position of your spine which has three natural curves – at your neck, mid back, and lower back. A correct posture maintains these curves without increasing them. Head above shoulders and the top of your shoulder over hips is defined as the best way to sit with a laptop.
About the Author
Dr. Abhijit Ray
- MBBS, MD (Int. Med.), ISHF, FACP, FRSM
- Holds Certificates from Johns Hopkins University
- Holds Certificates from Harvard Medical School
- Gold Medalist Advanced ECG Interpretation American Board of Cardiovascular Medicine
