It’s safe to say that you probably don’t maintain perfect posture all day. After all, it’s almost impossible in a modern office with desks that are one-size-fits-all. We spend a lot of hours sitting while working, and when our posture is less than ideal, that can lead to back and neck pain and strain other muscles. This guide on the negative impacts of poor office ergonomics will illustrate why you need to pay more attention to how you set up your office as a business owner or an operator.

Negative Impacts of Poor Office Ergonomics

Your Posture Can Suffer

Poor posture can lead to herniated discs and overall muscle soreness. Instead, use a standing desk or standing desk converter. Alternating sitting and standing during your workday can help you maintain better posture, which in turn can help prevent musculoskeletal disorders and back pain. The physical movement will increase blood flow, which boosts oxygen to the brain. 

Easily Fatigued

You should get enough sleep, stay hydrated, and eat properly, though it’s not just about that. Your workstation may be contributing to your fatigue, especially if you sit in the same position for hours. Don’t maintain the same posture for extended periods. Alternate between sitting and standing. Also, while standing, you can perform stretches to give you even more energy.

Increased Risk of Type 2 Diabetes and Heart Disease

Sitting all day seems to reduce the body’s ability to regulate sugar in your blood, known as metabolic syndrome, a precursor to type 2 diabetes. The American Diabetes Association recommends that adults, especially those with diabetes or pre-diabetes, limit how long they sit each day. Additionally, a Kaiser Permanente study suggested that men who spend five hours a day sitting have twice the risk of heart failure as those who sit fewer than two hours a day.

Weight Gain

Standing burns more calories than sitting. You might need some time to work your way up to standing while you work, and that’s where an adjustable-height desk comes in. Work toward a goal of standing for half your workday. Wear comfortable shoes and gradually increase the time you spend standing. You can even try using a timer to track the time you stand each day or week.

Musculoskeletal Disorder

Musculoskeletal disorders, or MSDs, are issues that affect the body’s movement. The system consists of bones, ligaments, joints, cartilage, muscles, nerves, discs, and other connective tissue—the parts of the body that hold the body together and upright. While experts once thought that a single repetitive motion could cause MSDs, they now see research indicating there may be more than one risk factor at play, such as a person’s amount of exercise, posture, and flexibility.

We hope this guide to the negative impacts of poor office ergonomics will encourage you to take the necessary steps to improve how you feel while working.