An office can turn out to be a stressful and unsafe environment if not managed properly. With the kind of climate and the type of environment here in the Philippines, even the simple
selection of office furniture and office chairs can make that difference in the safety of your employees. Contrary to popular belief, there are as much as work hazards of white collar job as there are for blue collar jobs. One of these hazards is the danger that poor posture can bring.
Office work nowadays can solely be accomplished by sitting down in front of a computer. This might sound easy in plain view since there are only minimal movements involved. But if you will look closely, the mere fact that office works involve minimal movements can be harmful, especially if you are not observing proper posture.
Complications that are caused by poor posture are things that will be felt by both the body and the mind. And if not corrected in time, poor posture may affect not only physical work but also your emotional and mental functions. Some of the negative effects of poor posture are the following:
Frequent Mood Swings
It is a given that whenever we are in pain, our mood is affected and we tend to get irritable easily. This can be associated with stress build-up that contributes to more complications. It may weaken your immune system, make you look older, make you gain weight, and ruin your teeth from food- and muscle-related stress coping mechanisms.
Improper Digestion
Incorrect posture is bad for the digestive system. Since your organs become compressed for seating for a very long time, this may result in discomfort, constipation, and even delayed metabolic conversion
Varicose Veins
Sitting still for long periods of time will have a toll on your legs and can lead to the formation of spider veins, particularly in women. The increased pressure of sitting and lack of circulation throughout the body is to blame for this.
Heart Attack
According to a 2010 study in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, men who were sedentary for more than 23 hours per week had a greater risk of heart attacks.
Aside from these health effects, improper posture may also convey an image of disinterest, boredom, and nervousness that may affect how you communicate with other people. It will also make you less attractive and will give you an impression of the unhealthy lifestyle.
Poor posture is not a simple matter that should be taken lightly. With the innovation of time and involvement of more office works that can be accomplished in front of a computer, it will be expected that more office people will be exposed to the dangers of poor posture. To avoid this, make sure to allot a few minutes to stretch out and stand up once in a while to loosen up the tension in your body. You can also choose an office chair that is both comfortable, supports the back and spinal column and is made of materials that are ideal for Philippine weather.