Let's keep in touch – Whether working on campus or from home, learn how to adopt the correct posture to prevent musculoskeletal disorders

With remote working again become the norm during the current period, many of us are having to create a makeshift office space at home. But poor posture on a daily basis can result in musculoskeletal disorders, causing neck or back pain and tendinitis in the elbow or wrist. To prevent these aches and pains and maintain a healthy body, it is important to adopt the right posture.

As part of our efforts to keep in touch and support you through this period, here is the practical guide (in French) that we first published during the lockdown last spring, with advice on how to adopt the best posture on a daily basis, whether working from home or on campus. Key points include:

•    Creating a workspace and making sure you are properly seated at your computer, by
-    optimizing the position and layout of your workstation
-    organizing your workspace
-    sitting properly at your computer
-    preventing risks associated with sedentary behavior
With a particular focus on working with a screen and some tips to prevent eye fatigue
 
•    Stretching and warming up
Some handy exercises that you can do at home or in the lab to relieve symptoms and relax specific muscles

To view some healthy stretches to practice in front of your screen
 
•    Tips to make sure you look after yourself properly
-    Sit in the correct position (sit back in your chair with a straight back and your feet flat on the floor);
-    Position your screen correctly (it should ideally be at eye level so that you can keep your head aligned with your body);
-    Make sure your mouse is at the right height (keeping your elbow close to your side so that your body remains well aligned);
-    Try to work at a table or worktop;
-    Change your position regularly;
-    Take breaks;
-    Stretch;
-    Breathe deeply;
-    Watch out for any vision problems.