For North Carolinians, we’re in the middle of a stay-at-home order from Governor Roy Cooper to help flatten the curve of the COVID-19 pandemic. For many of us, that means life as we knew it is now in upheaval. Kids are out of school, restaurants are closed, and many businesses are trying to keep going with allowing employees to work from home. 

If you’re one of the many now working from home, you have already experienced some of the pros and cons of this new reality. At first it’s exciting, somewhat like playing hooky from school. You get to do your work in your yoga pants or even your pajamas. You can listen to your favorite morning show every day (as long as you’re not having to Zoom with your boss). You can multi-task like never before, having a load of clothes going in the washing machine, supper cooking in the crock pot and kids doing their worksheets all while you’re typing away at your computer.

With all the benefits that come from working from home, you might also be experiencing some stress, and even a little pain. Trying to stay productive while the dog needs walked and the kids have a million questions about how to do math can cause those stress migraines to come back with a vengeance. And crouching over your laptop at the kitchen table or hunched up in bed with your computer on your lap isn’t doing your back any favors. It’s time to take care of yourself.

Pay Attention to Posture

When you’re at the office, more than likely you’re sitting at a desk designed for computer work, hopefully with a nice supportive chair. As much as you can, it’s important to replicate that when working at home. Put your monitor close to eye level so you don’t tilt your neck while looking at the screen. Sit in a chair where your legs are level or slightly lower than your seat, and your feet are flat on the ground. To keep your back straight, roll your shoulders back and sit with your shoulders in line with your ears. 

Remember to take breaks! Get up and walk around for about 5 minutes after every hour to rest and exercise different muscles. It will help you be more productive when you do sit back down to work.

Schedule an Appointment for an Adjustment

Your health is essential, maybe even more so now when maintaining a healthy lifestyle can keep our body’s natural immune system working strong. Even during these weeks of shelter-in-place orders from the state government, the team at Foster Chiropractic is working, and is dedicated to helping our patients maintain a healthy lifestyle and enjoy daily activities pain free. 

We’re taking all the precautions necessary to keep you safe while in our office: strict social distancing regulations, plenty of hand sanitizer available for staff and patients, and limiting the number of people in the office at a time.

If you’re feeling the strain of the stress and working from home has your back crying out in pain, call today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Foster today. He’s considered essential and your health is too.