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PANDEMIC LIVING
How To Get More From Life At Home The pandemic has impacted everyone. Working from home, higher stress levels, changes in family dynamics, have only added to the complexity of COVID-19. This places an even higher priority on the importance of practicing daily habits that promote your health and well-being. As Mississauga’s leading health and wellness clinic, High Point Wellness Centre (HPWC) is committed to working with you to care for, educate, and inspire their patients in their journey towards optimal health. With nearly 50 years of serving the community, they offer clinical services in chiropractic, physiotherapy, massage therapy, naturopathic medicine, nutrition, fitness, and virtual ergonomic assessments. Here are three effective ways to get more from a life and promote healthy living during the pandemic:
68 MODERN MISSISSAUGA | SPRING 2021
MAXIMIZING YOUR WORKSTATION SET-UP
Converting your bed or couch to your new workplace, with your laptop in your lap, is a recipe for back and neck pain. HPWC’s chiropractors and physiotherapists offer these injury prevention work-from-home ergonomic tips: 1.
To ensure proper neck alignment, raise the laptop (via laptop stand or books) so that your eye level lines up with the top third of the screen.
2. Purchase a regular size wireless keyboard and mouse. Position at a level that allows your elbows to hold a 90 degree bend. 3.
When sitting, make sure your feet have firm contact to the ground (this reduces force through the low back). Sit right back in your chair with your lower back is supported. If you have a budget for home office equipment, invest in a decent ergonomic office chair.
4. Keep everything within a forearm’s reach, especially your mouse. Avoid repetitive reaching, bending, or twisting while seated.
5.
Bring movement to your day by getting up every 45-60 minutes. Mini postural breaks will significantly reduce your risk of injury.
For those needing extra help, HPWC offers individual virtual ergonomic assessments.
BUILDING STRESS RESILIENCY
Stress management techniques have never been more crucial. HPWC’s Naturopathic Doctor suggests the following 5 strategies. 1.
Progressive muscle relaxation. Close your eyes and breathe slowly while you squeeze and then release each body part from the head down to your feet.