A staggering 65% of young desk workers, specifically those aged between 18 to 24, are now grappling with back pain, outstripping even their older colleagues in this discomfort. The culprit?
Poor posture at work, as unveiled by a recent Slouch survey, which has found that Gen Z employees are more afflicted than millennials and boomers.
The survey, which took into account the experiences of 1,000 remote workers, has laid bare a troubling trend: a mere 39% of respondents actually use a desk while working from home.
Instead, many have resorted to makeshift stations at kitchen counters, coffee tables, and sofas, leading to 54% of British workers potentially facing health issues due to these less-than-ideal setups.
Osteopath James Davies, collaborating with Slouch, has shed light on the alarming increase in physical health problems resulting from these working conditions. He cautions that poor posture is not just an immediate health hazard but also a detriment to productivity.
Davies explained the mechanics of poor posture: “Poor posture occurs when the body expends too much energy to maintain a position, causing some areas of the body to overwork, disrupting important mechanisms in the body, such as breathing patterns. Muscles and joints can suffer from poor posture, leading to chronic pain in the back, neck, and shoulders. This pain can become a constant distraction, making it difficult to concentrate on work.”
Slouching or a hunched posture can also impact your breathing by reducing oxygen intake which can cause fatigue and headaches, further decreasing your productivity according to the expert. To fix this, the osteopath recommended people take more “regular mini breaks” by getting up from their work station “if something doesn’t feel right”.
Pilates instructor Eloise Skinner explained what good posture looks like: “When working from home should involve both feet placed firmly on the floor with your hips level and at a 90-degree angle. Make sure your spine is in ‘neutral’ – this is its natural position, making sure to avoid arching the lower back or rounding the upper back. Ensure your neck is aligned with your spine, avoiding the chin moving forwards, the desk providing a 90-degree angle for your elbows, and computer screen at eye height.”
James noted that a simple reset can prevent stiffness and improve circulation while giving your mind a break with some time away from screens. His other suggestions included incorporating some breathing exercises such as deep belly breathing during work and taking on routines like yoga or pilates outside of work.
Two other exercises the expert recommended are shoulder rolls, chest openers like raising your chin, spreading your arms and taking deep breaths without raising your shoulders as well as neck stretches, tilting your ear to your shoulder for 10 seconds on each side.
James has suggested an unexpected change that revolves around your tech. He emphasised the importance of having comfortable, ergonomic furniture, keyboards, mice and secondary screens if necessary.