Office Comfort for Productivity and Safety

Being comfortable is important when it comes to safety and efficiency in the workplace. If you're like me, you're sitting for the majority of your work day at the office. But it's important to understand that you need to get up and stretch to prevent as much damage or soreness to your body as possible. No one wants to have back pain, for example, and you should avoid it at all costs.

It's no secret that comfort and productivity at the office go hand-in-hand. Here are some tips and ideas that can help reduce workplace pain, all while keeping your productivity at work at a high level.

1. Watch Your Back and Neck: Did you know that lower-back pain is the #2 reason why people see their doctors in America? It's true, and it's something to be aware of. When sitting at your desk, be sure to have your feet resting lightly on the floor. If you're short, have your feet on a footrest. You should square yourself for maximum comfort - this means that you shouldn't have to reach far for the telephone or have to move your neck to see the monitor. Remember, less pain and stress leads to increased productivity.
2. Walk and Work: What if you could be active at your desk but still get your work done at the same time? People do. Treadmill desks not only improve your comfort level and productivity, but they raise your level of creativity, which is a key to success in the workplace. If where you work doesn't offer this, one idea would be to have a standing desk. With a standing desk, you could work out your leg joints, for example, while getting work done. Staying active is important!
3. Tense Those Muscles and Gain Willpower: Health and comfort in the office don't just have to be physical; the workplace can be a grind in that it can regularly put your mental toughness to the test. Believe it or not, tensing your muscles at work can help you stay focused, especially when you hear negative information. Not only that, but snacking in the workplace frequently can make us feel unmotivated and often bloated. Did you know that tensing your muscles every so often will reduce your appetite for snacks? It's all about improving your comfort!
4. Improve Your Hand Mobility: If you're like me, you're typing for the majority of your day, and this can certainly take its toll on your wrists. Throughout the day at various points, do some hand and wrist exercises to help reduce any pain or discomfort, because again, less pain and discomfort leads to increased productivity and focus in the workplace! One example of an exercise would be the "thumb flexation," which is where you start with your thumb positioned outward and then move it across your palm, then back to the starting position.

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Don't let your comfort or productivity at work dip. In the workplace, what measures do you take to ensure that you don't harm your body while keeping your productivity high? Let me and other readers know in the comments below!