The transition to a hybrid workplace will have a significant influence on managers.
Covid-19 enhanced pre-existing trends, according to a popular 2020 cliché. However, that is an inadequate depiction of the tremendous disruption in office labor. Americans spent 5% of their working time at home prior to the epidemic. By spring 2020, the figure had risen to 60%. The transition has gone more smoothly than anticipated. People are working longer hours, but they are happier and more productive as a result. Working from home is likely to become more common once lockdowns are lifted.
A growing body of research points to what post-pandemic working patterns may look like. A survey of thousands of Americans concludes that after the pandemic, the average employee prefers to work from home nearly half the time. Over 60% of that workforce admits to working from their bed or sofa a majority of the day. This has led to an increase in doctor visits because of back and neck pain.
Three Stretches to Manage Aches and Pains from Working from Home
Time to add some of these to your exercise routine.
Many at-home workers surmise with a few days that their home office doesn’t meet any relic of ergonometric standards. Many get their desktop computer, a large monitor and a desktop sit-to-stand apparatus and this allows them to toggle between sitting and standing. As a result, many people are able to work from home without pain, which is more than most of us can claim when slaving away on little computers in our sweatpants in stiff kitchen chairs.
Since the 2020 COVID work from home frenzy, many studies demonstrate the toll we exact on our bodies as we do office work. Many doctors immediately saw the influx of patients with neck and back pain as more and more workers report for duty on their sofas.
As gravity collapses your spine, it pushes fluid out of the discs. Moving around for 20 to 30 seconds, on the other hand, draws fluid back into the discs. This returns everything to its original state. Microbreaks for mobility should be taken every 40 minutes, ideally. However, getting up and stretching or walking to the kitchen for a glass of water can provide that activity. Stretching can literally make you better than before.
To avoid discomfort in your wrists, back, neck, and arm, complete a series of three stretches three times a day.
Three Stretches to Help You Feel Better If You’re a Sedentary Worker
Consider these to be preventative maintenance. The goal for you is to start using them right now so you don’t have to go to visit your doctor.
Wrist Stretch
- Stand with one arm out in front of you and your palm facing the ground.
- With your other hand, gently pull your fingers of the outstretched arm back. You should feel the stretch in the underside of your wrist.
- Hold for a moment or two, then release.
- Next, keeping your arm straight, use your other hand to push your fingers and palm down and toward your body. Hold a few seconds, then release.
- Repeat with your other arm.
Shoulder Shrugs
- Shrug your shoulders by bringing them up toward your ears and holding for 3-5 seconds.
- Release and repeat 3-5 times.
Back and Chest Stretch
- Clasping your hands behind your head, squeeze your shoulder blades together.
- Hold this squeeze for 5-6 seconds.
- Take a breath, then repeat one more time.
REACH’s 2 STEP APPROACH TO RECOVERY THERAPY
1. IDE
NTIFY THE ROOT CAUSES OF YOUR ACHES AND PAINS
At Reach, we start your Stretch and Recovery journey with your Mobility Risk Factor Assessment. This assessment allows us to pinpoint the causes of your aches and pains, muscle imbalances and weakness, and posture or mobility limitations. After your assessment, we can proceed to step 2!
2. CUSTOMIZE YOUR RECOVERY THERAPY PROGRAM
Based on your Mobility Risk Factor Assessment, a custom Stretch & Recovery therapy plan will be created. The program is designed just for you and will target your areas of concern and interest. Each session includes a balanced blend of Corrective Stretch, Percussion, Compression, CBD, and Heat Vibration Therapy. This takes the guesswork out of choosing the Stretch and Recovery therapies that will be best for you!
