The 5 risks associated with poor ergonomics at work

The effects of poor posture at work.

Whether in your personal or professional life, maintaining good posture is beneficial on a daily basis. When we think about it, we spend the majority of our lives in the job market. Therefore, it is essential that we pay particular attention to the way we work and the conditions in which we evolve during our career.

Do you know all the aspects of your health that are influenced by the way you hold yourself? Several global studies have looked into this aspect. Through this article, discover 5 facts why ergonomics is important in your workplace.

1. Good ergonomics at work influences your mood!

Did you know that workers who work more sedentarily for long periods of time have a forty-seven percent higher risk of depression? This is true if you work more than seven hours a day in a seated position, versus people working less than four a day in that same position. Prolonged sitting affects your mood by lowering your energy level.

Have you ever been told to “stand up straight”? A German study conducted by Friedrich-Alexander University and published in the journal Acta Psychologica , proves that good posture improves mood. This increases concentration and can also lower blood pressure. When your blood pressure drops, your heart rate slows and your body temperature drops.

A better mood also improves the quality of your sleep. Indeed, if you had a great day at work without pain, it is unlikely that you will have negative ideas related to your work to think about in your bed after dark. So you will sleep better. A good quality of sleep influences your mood and physical health.

Thus, maintaining an upright posture and introducing the principles of active movement into your work routine decreases the risks associated with aging. You will have more energy to get through your day and your mental health will be more positive.

2. Working in a comfortable position reduces MSD pain.

Generally, musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) appear when the same gestures are repeated in the context of an activity or a profession. Take the example of cashiers in a grocery store. These employees work constantly in a standing position and continuously perform the gestures associated with the cash drawer. The same goes for employees working on computers throughout their day. These people are more at risk of feeling level pressure in their fingers, wrists, forearms, elbows, shoulders and neck.

According to Statistics Canada census data, one in four Quebec workers reports significant MSDs during a year of work. It's not nothing ! MSD-related pain can affect blood circulation, causing tingling, numbness, pain and feeling cold. It can happen to everyone to feel pain from time to time while working and not to worry about the importance of this pain. In theory, this pain goes away when the working day ends and you don't pay attention to it on your days off. The danger is probable when there is an evolution in this discomfort. Because, the pain will increase and you will notice a decrease in your concentration, performance, strength and physical health.

3. Poor posture can influence how people judge you...

Do you know the saying “you never get a second chance to make a good first impression”, or “don't pass judgment on appearances”? Likewise, do you tend to stand more upright in a job interview, versus a strenuous end to the work day?

A sloppy, hunched, or slouched work posture can influence the gaze of your colleagues, superiors, or customers in the same way as a poor work attitude. Unfortunately, whether we like it or not, no one is immune to passing judgment on others one day or another in their life.

4. The harms of poor blood circulation in your body.

Did you know that sitting all day increases the risk of heart disease, obesity and diabetes? In the same vein, staying in a seated position for too long can cause the appearance of varicose veins. This is often the case with women.

Unfortunately, sitting for a long time puts pressure on your thighs and this is even more true when the height of your chair or work chair is too high. This results in an insufficient supply of blood flowing from your legs through your heart. This can cause local pooling of blood and cause pain, numbness, tingling, swelling and possibly the appearance of varicose veins. In addition, when you meet these conditions, it often happens that you feel a greater feeling of fatigue, especially at the end of the day.

Whenever possible, we recommend that you alternate your working positions. Including the principles of active movement, or investing in a height-adjustable electric table will allow you to work while sitting and standing.

Do you want to change and improve the way you work? Click here to consult our electric tables.

5. And your diaphragm in all this?

Admittedly, your digestive health is certainly not the first point you think of when you think about the impacts of poor posture at work on your health. However, sitting all day at work, in addition to a meal break, compresses your digestive organs, such as your diaphragm, stomach, and liver. This compression prevents the normal functioning of your body.

Your diaphragm is an important muscle in your body. It interacts with the heart, lungs, esophagus, stomach, liver, spleen, pancreas, kidneys, colon. Your digestion is partly activated by the diaphragm inflating and retracting. Following your meal break, it is advisable to walk about ten minutes. If your cafeteria is on a different floor from your workspace and it is possible for you, on your return, take the stairs rather than the elevator. Also, after your meal, working in a standing position will reduce bloating, gastric reflux and constipation. If you are sensitive to fatigue after returning from lunch, think about your work position. Changing the latter could be a simple and effective way to maintain a stable level of energy throughout the day.

In the same vein, when it comes time to hydrate yourself, it is better to drink from a small glass rather than a large container. The reason is very simple. This will encourage you to get up more often!

Finally, you guessed it, lifting frequently will allow your diaphragm to work well and your breathing will also improve. According to the Canadian Center for Occupational Health and Safety, "poor body position or posture interferes with breathing and blood circulation and contributes to injuries that limit movement."

In short, modifying your working positions could have benefits for your physical and mental health, your confidence and your performance. What's more, you will improve your energy level at the end of the day. You will find that your evenings could be different from those you are currently experiencing!

Do you want to renew your lifestyle at work? Contact us!