This shocking mannequin, known as ‘Emma’, was constructed by researchers after interviews with more than 3,000 employees about their health issues.
Scary right?
Do you struggle in maintaining a good posture whilst at work? Are you sitting at a desk for the majority of your day? Do you suffer from occasional (or constant) aches and pains?
Well, guess what? Those aches and pains are a way of your body warning you of what is to come – if you don’t sort it out and FAST!
Experts are warning that in 20 years office workers could look just like Emma if they don’t make significant changes.
So what are these changes?
Regular postural breaks are essential in breaking up the working day to ensure posture is not impacted due to prolonged sitting. Doing a few stretches for a minute or so to engage your core, improve circulation to the limbs and lengthen your spine will help dramatically. Let’s be real, no one wants to be like Emma in 20 years’ time – varicose veins and a hunched back.
I know what you are thinking, what kind of stretches can you do at work?
All of the stretches below will take less than a minute to perform so why not? We always tell patients who are office workers to set an outlook reminder – that way even if you are so engrossed in work you won’t forget.
Another cheeky trick is to drink plenty of water throughout the working day which will encourage toilet breaks and essentially a break from being constantly sat at your desk.
The short time it takes you to walk to the toilet and back will dramatically improve the circulation in your legs and get your joints moving.