3 Desk Modifications to Improve Your Health

According to a recent study, the average office worker spends almost 6 hours sitting at their desks, and this figure is likely even higher for legal staff. Staying in one place for most of the day isn’t healthy for anyone, can negatively impact your heart, joints and more. Luckily, even if you typically feel shackled to your office, there are a few easy modifications you can make to your desk in order to improve your health during the workday.

Standing desks

We mentioned this tip earlier this week, but it’s become such a popular trend that we had to bring it up again. Years ago, the idea of standing while working all day seemed outrageous. Today, using a standing desk much more than just a passing fad for office workers who want to avoid a sedentary lifestyle. A standing desk is much like a regular desk, except it has longer legs and a table positioned near waist-height. While the scientific benefits of using a standing desk may be unclear, switching to a standing desk for part of the day can help attorneys and paralegals like you improve posture and stay more active during the workday, and many employees also report that it makes them feel more alert. By already being on your feet, staff may notice that they take more walks around the office and stand up straighter, as well.

Chair swap

Poorly designed office chairs wreak havoc on the necks and backs of hardworking attorneys and paralegals. Combat the back pain and slouching shoulders by swapping out your stiff office chair for an exercise ball. Using one in place of a regular chair can improve posture, relieve some pressure from your lower back and work your core all at the same time. If you’re not ready to commit to an entire day of using the exercise ball, try it for an hour in the morning and an hour in the afternoon. The more you use it, the better you may begin to feel!

Wrist rests

Carpal tunnel and wrist pain are two more ailments that often plague legal professionals. Working on client forms and typing up documents all day can put a lot of strain on the hands and wrists, making it difficult to get through the big stacks of paperwork most of us must tackle each day. Try using soft wrist rests at the base of your keyboard in order to alleviate some of that tension built up from typing all day, and encourage your coworkers to do the same. Frequent breaks and stretching can help as well.

Whether you want to improve posture or feel more active at the office, these three desk modifications can help jumpstart a healthier, more mobile workday.