I won't dispute, ergonomics are key for any workplace. Regardless of how perfect the ergonomic set-up is however, if you assume one position for an extended period of time, it can take its toll.
After an extended time sitting, gravity tends to pull us down and our pelvis will often round under (as if we are tucking our tails so-to-speak). As soon as this pelvis rounds under, our low back flattens , our upper back rounds and our head slides further forward. Go ahead, try it! This posture when repeated over and over again results in an imbalance of tight short muscles, long weak muscles and a tremendous amount of extra pressure on various parts of the spine.
Want to hack this posture and avoid the mid-day slouch? Try this simple "reset".
1. HINGE forward at your hips (as opposed to rounding forward through your low back). You should feel your "sit bones" (ischial tuberosities) tip back behind you.
2. Keeping your pelvis slightly tipped forward, stack your torso back over your pelvis.
If you had been slouching, you will now feel "taller" and possibly even lighter. You may notice your head is now positioned closer to your shoulders and you have a small curve in your low back. If you don't notice much change, perhaps you weren't rounding under as much as you thought!
Check out the corresponding instagram post to learn 3 ways this posture can make-or-break your day!
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