The 5 Most Troublesome Sitting Habits Explained

Having trouble with your sit? Feeling uncomfortable and productivity is suffering? Have no fear! Our ergo experts are here! Today on the Office Anything Blog we'll identify 5 of the most troublesome sitting habits while sharing the tips, tricks, and advice needed to kick them to the curb. Enjoy!

1.) Slouching

You've heard it since you were little. Don't slouch! This all too common problem affects far to many workers. Each time you slouch and lean away from your chair, you're missing out on the essential support needed to operate effectively for long periods of time. To solve this issue, make it a point to keep your back in contact with your chair. Set your office chair back angle to a comfortable, upright position that ensures your spine is properly supported.

2.) Perching

When sitting at your desk, avoid using the base of your chair as a footrest. This bad habit, also referred to as perching, limits blood flow and leads to fatigue. Perching on your chair base can cause pain and cramping that significantly diminishes your chances of operating comfortably throughout the entirety of your day. The solution? Work with your feet flat on the ground and facing forward. It's a simple fix, you just have to commit to it. Many of the most common office chair posture tips revolve around muscle memory. This one is no different!

3.) Looking Down

This simple but troublesome sitting habit is typically the result of your computer screens being situated too low. Looking down at your keyboard or screens when typing over the course of the work day will cause you neck to stiffen up. This muscle tension will eventually lead to soreness and pain. To avoid looking down, raise your computer screens! The professional solution is the integration of a computer screen mount that offers a wide range of adjustment capabilities. If you choose to go this way, you can't go wrong with the monitor arms from ESI Ergonomic Solutions and Symmetry Office. If funds are tight, use a stack of books, or even a cardboard box to raise your screens up in the time being.

4.) Extended Sits

Believe it or not, one of the most common and troublesome sitting habits is directly related to sitting for long periods of time! Extended sits cause fatigue. When you become tired, your posture tends to suffer. To avoid this common problem, take short breaks. Once every hour, stand up and walk away from your desk. Stretch out those muscles and grab a drink of water to stay hydrated. The health risks associated with sitting for long periods of time are very serious. Studies have shown that sitting for long periods of time without taking breaks can actually reduce your life span. Take this bad habit seriously. Don't get overly wrapped up into a project to the point where you stay in your chair for hours upon hours. Force yourself to take short stretch breaks as often as possible!

5.) Sitting At The Wrong Height

Be honest. When is the last time your adjusted your office chair? If you can't remember, the odds are you're due for a quick chair and desk synchronizing session. All too often, workers take a set it and forget it approach to office chair comfort. To operate at peak performance levels and avoid troublesome sitting habits, you need to familiarize yourself with that fancy ergonomic swivel chair and the adjustment features you invested in. Don't be afraid to adjust several times throughout the day to meet the needs of any particular task. Sitting too low or high in your chair will cause your posture to suffer. You'll be limiting blood flow and subjecting yourself to unnecessary fatigue and physical strain that can be quickly avoided with the pull of a lever.