5 Common Mistakes People Make When They Need to Stand All Day
Many of today’s jobs require employees to be on their feet for the better part of the day: waiters, security guards, clerks, and even chefs. People who are aware of the detrimental effects of spending a lot of time sitting down might see a standing work setup as a healthier alternative. Yet, as the hype builds up about the benefits of standing, several studies show that it can be a double-edged sword. Excessive standing can lead to many health issues if you make the following five mistakes, read on to see how to stand all day to prevent these mistakes while working on a job that requires a lot of standing:
Not Wearing the Right Clothes and Footwear
If you’re required to be on your feet the entire day, then it makes sense to reduce discomfort and pressure on your feet. Granted, your manager may have some say on the type of footwear allowed in the work area, but you can still choose your socks. Wearing socks that promote circulation, can help reduce the risk of getting varicose veins.
The clothes you wear may also be doing more harm than good to your body. For instance, frequently wearing skinny jeans that constrict blood flow to your legs will likely cause problems. The same is true when you wear pants, skirts, or shorts that are too tight around the waistline.
Just Standing
Some people think that by just standing, they save energy. Unfortunately, doing this has the opposite effect. Our bodies are designed to move, and when we don’t, we suffer a stagnancy that can have adverse and far-reaching impacts on both our mental and physical health. So even if your job is to stand in one place all day, you still need a few mobility exercises now and then if you want to maintain your health.
Having Bad Posture
Maintaining proper posture is as essential as keeping hydrated, yet so many of us fail to do these two things. Remember that it doesn’t take much to keep a straight back, but it takes a lot of resources and emotional stress to deal with back or shoulder pain when you suffer from the effects of years of having bad posture.
Tips to help you maintain proper posture in standing jobs:
- Keep your monitor at the level of your eyes.
- Switch your body’s weight to the other leg every few minutes.
- Make sure your elbows are at a 90-degree angle when resting on the table.
- Keep frequently used items within easy reach to avoid repeatedly bending over or overextending your hands.
- Set a subtle reminder every few minutes, such as a low-volume bell sound on your phone to help you remember to check your posture.
- Do deep breathing exercises every couple of hours to reduce tension in your upper body.
Losing Track of Time
Being hyper-focused in our work is a desirable trait, but being too focused also means we may be neglecting other aspects that equally deserve our attention. While standing, you may be too consumed in the task at hand that you forget to maintain good posture, stretch your limbs, or even take a break. On the subject of breaks, there is a reason why companies integrate them into even the strictest of schedules. People need this downtime to recuperate, de-stress, and move around.
Not Having the Right Desk Height
The height of the desk provided by your workplace may also contribute to developing posture or health issues, especially if you spend most of the day glued to this location. You can quickly tell if a desk isn’t the right height if your elbows do not form a 90-degree angle when your arms are resting on the surface or if you’re having a tough time doing your work because of the desk height.
Adjustable standing desks are perfect for these situations. Try discussing the possibility of getting these special desks with your boss. These stands can help you work more comfortably and prevent musculoskeletal disorders at work.
Any job involves some risk to our health, especially if we fail to spot the mistakes we frequently do that create these problems. But as research continues for work-related risks and disorders, we can make the proper adjustments and enjoy the benefits of following the safety guidelines provided to us.