Get On The Floor

After a whole day of sitting in front of the computer and suffering from Zoom burnout (yes, those video calls do put a physical strain on your neck, shoulders and face), nothing could be healthier than sitting on the floor and stretching your legs while playing. What to play? Well, how about a nostalgic round of Super TAKI ($12.57 on Amazon) or a imagination-boosting puzzle?

Get Moving

Ask your kids to do some exercise after school (or even worse, on their break!) and you might hear the loudest collective groan. But try asking them to play Just Dance on their Nintendo Switch – and suddenly this aerobic activity will become the unnest (And most competitive.. Just saying) thing they’ve done all day. If you want some variety, Beat Saber, and Ring Fit Adventure are also fun options that will keep you on your feet.

Get Cooking

After a day of learning, tummies are sure to be empty and hands are sure to be hungry for some tactile activities. Get those little hands busy and teach them the basics of the kitchen – beyond getting help with dinner, this is a great way to get your kids friendly with fruit, vegetables and other healthy ingredients, whet the appetites of picky eaters and have deep conversations about sustainability. Here are 2 great articles with recipes to make with kids.

Get Full STEAM Ahead

Speaking of back to school, how about some educational activities that will teach your kids how cool science and technology can be? Learn how to build electrical circuits with Electro Dough (perfect for ages 4 and up), code an arcade game at home, and for 3rd graders and up – show your kids how to build a system that will control their entire room with a buzzer, a dimmer, a sound trigger and more.

We know, with all these fun activities, joining Zoom classes might seem dull. We suggest going for one at a time and incorporating activities not only after school but on breaks to help keep the day fun and engaging.

The post Back to School? 4 Fun Activities to Help Kids Move and Think appeared first on UPRIGHT Posture Training Device.

Although times are hard and your day-to-day has changed, you don’t have to put everything on hold completely. It’s more important now than ever to keep yourself busy and maintain your health to protect not only yourself but others as well. Staying mentally and physically healthy should be a top priority during these times.

Here are a few ways to remain healthy during quarantine: 

Maintain a Routine 

Although your gym may be closed and your daily routine is no longer consistent, you should still focus on your health. It’s easy to put your exercise routine on the back burner with everything going on, but you should actually be prioritizing your health even more now than you were before.

Start by creating a daily routine to keep yourself on track. This can include waking up at the same time each day, having a healthy breakfast, completing a workout, and going to sleep at a reasonable hour every night. The consistency of a daily routine will help you feel more accomplished throughout the day and a consistent sleep schedule will leave you feeling refreshed. If you feel like you can’t keep up with a daily routine, try keeping track of your tasks and workout routine in a daily planner or on an online calendar. This will give you a little accountability throughout your week and remind you of everything you want to accomplish. 

Check out some helpful health and wellness apps to support your new routine

If you’re working from home or taking online classes during this time, you want to make sure you remain focused and productive outside of the office or classroom in an ergonomic environment that may not be optimal. The best way to achieve maximum productivity is to have the right tools available to you.

Make sure you see  clearly

As we are spending some much of our time in front of screens, we must take care of our eyesight. An app that might help your ability to work is the Warby Parker mobile app. This app allows you to upgrade your prescription eyeglass frames and lenses or virtually try a pair of blue-light glasses. Incorrect prescription lenses and blue-light can cause headaches and overstimulation, so it’s important to keep your eye health top of mind when working from home.

Take care of your back

Many people are worried about their posture nowadays. Longer screen time takes its toll on our body, as people move less and work in a sub-optimal ergonomic environment. , Another health product you could also try using is the UPRIGHT GO. Through the use of a wearable device that naturally helps you improve your posture by providing biofeedback, UPRIGHT GO trains you to sit up straight and offers plans tailored for each person. Maintaining proper posture stimulates blood flow and comfort, which then promotes concentration, so this device and app are worth the investment. 

Clear your mind

A lot of people are experiencing heightened levels of stress and anxiety due to job loss, fear of illness, and uncertainty right now. If you’re one of those people, try using a meditation app like Headspace. Although you may not think meditation is for you, using a guided app that walks you through it is really beneficial and can help you with sleep, anxiety, anger, and focus. 

Keep active

 If your health goal is to lose weight and keep it off or just to find a way to stay active while sheltering inyou should look into downloading an app that helps you track your activity and gives you customizable training plans, like the running app Map My Run. Being able to customize a training routine that is specific to you and your goals will make it that much easier to stick to them long-term. 

Use Telehealth When Needed 

A big concern for many people at the beginning of this pandemic was how to deal with ongoing health problems, as a lot of doctor’s offices were shut down or had limited in-person appointments. However, just because you’re not able to see your healthcare provider in person does not mean you cannot see them at all. Healthcare providers are using third party services like Doxy.me to connect with their patients through personalized links and video calls. There is no download or account set-up necessary, which makes it very convenient for patients and it’s completely protected by data privacy requirements HIPAA, PIPEDA, and GDPRs. This makes it even easier than before for you to speak with your doctor because you can do so without even leaving your home!

There is so much technology available to us in this day and age that make it possible to continue being healthy amidst the pandemic. Now is the time to make sure you are healthy and safe, so it’s a good idea to take advantage of these advancements in your daily routine.

The post Don’t Put off Your Healthcare Needs During Quarantine appeared first on UPRIGHT Posture Training Device.

First, Find Your Neutral Posture

“Sheltering in place and working from home is like a ticking time bomb for ergonomic injury,” says Pricelda Cid, an economist and occupational therapist who’s founded Ergotherapy to promote healthy work environments. Most of us don’t realize but modern office furniture is built to support our neutral posture, which is the position that requires the least amount of effort for the body to maintain while engaging inactivity. At home, many of us are tempted to work from the bed, couch or kitchen table – which could be harmful. 

If you’re working from a  laptop, a laptop riser and external keyboard and mouse are an absolute must, says Cid. If you don’t have a riser, you can use a stack of books instead or connect your laptop to an external monitor – make sure the monitor is at eye level so you don’t create tension in the neck. Another foundational piece of your work setting is your office chair. Invest in an ergonomic chair and utilize the 30-day trial periods many upscale chair manufacturers offer to make sure it’s a good fit, recommends Cid.

Let There Be Light

Another key ingredient to a productive workspace (whether it’s an entire room or just a desk) that makes you happy is natural lighting. As a creative who spends hours in front of her screen, uprighter Willow Hill paid extra attention to choosing the brightest room in the house as her home office. Beyond seeing more clearly, natural lighting gives you a natural energy boost – and can’t we all use that these days?

Surround Yourself with Inspiration

As a creative accustomed to frequent travel, Hill found herself missing the inspiration she’s used to gain from exploring new places. “Because travel is very limited during this time I selected prints from some of my favorite museum experiences I’d had around the world and am framing them on a gallery wall to remind me of my adventures,” she told us.  Whether you miss travelling, too, or are grateful to stay put, surrounding yourself with inspiring art and mementos can lift your spirit and help you feel at home at your home-working situation. 

Zoom In

It’s a Zoom life and we’re just living in it. “In creating my desk space I knew that I would be on Zoom calls for a good portion of my day,” says Hill, whose work as a founder of a creative agency requires much client face-time.”I optimize my decor and monitor to show a clean and well-designed space and ensure there is no messy or cluttered background that distracts from the productivity of my conversations.” A good way to adopt this tip is to make sure that you have a strong visual element as a backdrop – it could be a bold-color painted wall, a wallpaper, a prominent piece of art or even your home library with some pretty accessories and photos arranged on the shelves. 

Mix Practical With Personal

Emanuela Biener has been documenting workspaces since 2017 in her magazine Miss Mandala and her book Women & Spaces. As a content creator and a consultant coaching creative women in business, she has the front row (ergonomic) seat to how workspaces impact mood, productivity and creativity. The secret? Biener says it’s all about mixing the practical and the personal/ “Make sure to have everything you need at an arm’s reach – in drawers or desktop storage solutions. But on top of that, make sure you also have things you love around you: things that are meaningful to you, or that would make you smile when you lift your eyes off the screen. It could be one accessory or many; you work hard enough and long enough, and you deserve a pleasant work environment,” explains Biener.

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If there’s one thing you can change to make spending eight hours a day in an office easier, it’s your chair.

There is no shortage of evidence proving that being stuck in a chair for too long can increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases and worsen back and neck pain. Many people who have office jobs develop problems like numbness, spinal misalignment, joint pain, neck pain, and herniated discs.

Two separate studies, published in 1990 and 2003, found that productivity goes up more than 17% when individuals work in an ergonomic setting. The right chair combined with healthy posture training like the UPRIGHT Go and Go2 personal posture trainer can also reduce workplace injuries, lower back pain, and poor posture.

An ergonomic chair can help you maintain the right posture to avoid strain, carpal tunnel syndrome, lower back pain, and spinal disc injury.

What do you need to check when purchasing a new Ergonomic Chair? 

1. a seat pan (the flat surface area of the chair we sit on, the same part where the levers for the height adjustment are attached) with dense, small-cell foam padding or coils
2. a backrest that is either curved or small enough to fit the small of your back
3. soft armrests with adjustable height and width
4. hydraulic seat height adjustment
5. tilt adjustment to transfer some bodyweight to the chair’s backrest.

Office Chairs – The Dream Team

1. Freedom Office Desk Chair By Humanscale

   Humanscale’s Freedom Desk Chair is one of the most popular ergonomic office chairs on the market. Designer Niels Diffrient aimed to design an office chair that automatically adapts to the user, allowing them to move freely from posture to posture. The Freedom Desk Chair also comes in a variety of colors and it has a recline action to keep you comfortable throughout the day. When you recline, the chair reacts accordingly to adapt to your back. Needless to say, it’s a great choice if you want an ergonomic design. Just be ready to pay.
   

   

2. Aeron Ergonomic Office Chair by Herman Miller

   Since Aeron debuted in 1994, the team at Herman Miller has learned a great deal more about how best to support people in the varied postures they adopt throughout the workday. They’ve updated it with a more refined tilt mechanism, and adjustable PostureFit, a feature patented by the company which provides back support at the base of your spine, helping your pelvis maintain a natural forward tilt to prevent slouching. By doing so, PostureFit keeps your spine in healthy alignment to help eliminate lower back pain. No wonder it comes at a price.

   

3. Amia Office Chair by Steelcase

   The Steelcase Amia may not be quite as high-tech, but it’s still got its secret weapon.
   Amia chair’s backrest is the LiveLumbar™ technology inside. Different than a typical lumbar “cushion”, LiveLumbar is a system of flexors that move with your back for consistent, dynamic support.
   Oh, and it even comes in a wide range of colors, which always makes us smile.

   

Office Chairs – The Affordable Option

1. Elusion Series Mesh by Alera

   Alera chair has ergonomic design adjustments to fit multiple users. It also sports a cool, breathable mesh back and a contoured seat cushion with waterfall edge to help relieve pressure on legs. The Alera chair lacks many of the adjustment features of more expensive chairs, but you can adjust the tilt tension, seat height, and arm height and width to adjust the chair to your body. This chair was designed to give you a professional, efficient working environment at a good price.

   

2. SOHO Ribbed Management Chair by Laura Davidson

   Made from the highest quality materials, the SOHO has an adjustable backrest and durable leatherette seating surfaces that are made to last. It is definitely a looker, probably one of the cooler looking chairs on this list. It comes in many colors including Upright Green and features an attractive aluminum base. Add to a two-year warranty and the chair is a must-see for home or office.
   Bear in mind, you can remove the steel arms but can not adjust it to your desk. Can you tell we love this color?

   

3. Classic Balance Ball Chair by Gaiam

   Our weirdest yet coolest chair is also the most affordable chair on this list.
   Welcome to the world of active sitting and a chair that just might change your everyday working experience. Gaiam Classic provides all-day ergonomic support for a stronger, healthier back. Its secret sauce is the balance ball: You get your work done while working on your core as well. If you want a healthier and affordable option, Gaiam has got your core – and will leave your pocket alone.

   

The post 6 Work-from-Home Ergonomic Chair Recommendations appeared first on UPRIGHT Posture Training Device.

1. Learn How to Play Mom a Song on the Piano or Guitar

Did you play a musical instrument as a kid?
Many of us give this a shot at some point, whether it’s playing the piano or some other instrument in the school band, but very few of us stick with it. Mom’s the one who likely encouraged us, and in some cases, nagged us about not practicing enough!

A lot has changed these days with apps like JoyTunes that make it possible for anyone to learn to play a musical instrument.

Now you can learn how to play the piano or guitar right at home, which can also be a great project these days.

With a little bit of time, effort, and love you can learn how to play a song for mom this year. You can even perform and record it for her on a Zoom video call, and then share a clip of the performance for all her friends to see on social media. Rock on

Click here to download JoyTunes.

2. Take Mom to a Broadway Musical at Home

Continuing the music theme, if your mom loves Broadway musicals there’s an incredible way to see some of the best ones right now for free. 

“The Shows Must Go On” launched on YouTube in March 2020. It features clips from famous Broadway shows like Starlight Express, Evita, Cats, Phantom of the Opera, Jesus Christ Superstar, and more! 
Full-length performances are streamed from the channel every Friday at 2pm (EDT) and remain accessible for 48 hours. Watch with mom at your home or together on a Zoom video call while sharing your screen.

Click here to visit the “Show Must Go On”.

3. Master Those Life Lessons That Mom Always Wanted You to Learn

Most moms try to teach us those important life lessons that help us grow into responsible adults. Things like saving money, parenting skills, and even sleeping enough seem like they should be intuitive, yet many of us struggle to master these life skills. 

If you want to make mom proud by mastering a new life skill then the Life Kit Podcast can help. Each episode teaches valuable life skills giving you simple ways to make changes that will make mom proud. It’s time to get your life together and put a smile on mom’s face.

Click here to listen to the Life Kit podcast

4. Get That Great Posture Your Mom Always Wanted You to Have

“Stop slouching, and sit up straight!” Most of us have heard mom says this at some point in our lives, but we never quite got the point. 

Why do moms care so much about great posture? Maybe they just have a sixth sense about these important things? 

Whatever the reason, moms are right. Bad posture habits are unflattering and can even cause serious health problems if left uncorrected. 

Thankfully you can start making a change to your posture right now with some simple, home training exercises.

Give Mom the Gift of a Better YOU

Sure, you can send mom flowers this year or even a cool gift like the Upright GO 2 posture trainer (You and your mom can improve your posture together). Take the time to also try one of the ideas above. You will put a smile on mom’s face by showing her the best side of yourself. Happy Mother’s Day!

The post Mother’s Day Gift Guide: Making Mom Proud of You appeared first on UPRIGHT Posture Training Device.

Tech addiction is a real and present danger. The sooner we realize how it’s affecting our physical, mental, and social well-being, the sooner we can break free of its shackles and live more mindfully.

Now, we’re not suggesting you give up your smartphone – that would suck – but rather that you use it responsibly and in a way that doesn’t harm your health. Sound good? Read on to find out how you can tame the beast and turn your phone into a weapon for wellness.

Tweet Dreams Are Made of This

The urge to steal a little extra screen time is hard to resist, even for the most self-disciplined among us.

Rarely do we think about how that extra tweet, DM, or Insta post wrecks our sleep.

LCD screens have harmful effects like inhibiting production of melatonin, the sleep hormone. This artificial dose of sunlight at night screws up our circadian rhythms, so our brains aren’t sure when to take a break. The exhaustion you feel even after a solid night’s sleep is likely due to a lack of melatonin.

But what about the rest of your body? Hunching over your phone in bed is hardly conducive to a good night’s sleep. We recommend not using your phone before bed, but if you must then at least pay attention to healthy sleeping positions. This can help you wake up without all that stiffness and soreness in your neck and back.

Hello, My Eyes Are Up Here!

Overuse of your phone isn’t just putting your physical health at risk. Studies have found that constantly reaching for your device during social interactions can create a negative impression of you (well, duh!). For some, the mere sight of a mobile phone during a conversation screams anti-social, making you seem uninterested, aloof, and, frankly, boring.

Millennials and Gen Zers may not remember a time before cell phones, but they certainly care about the image they project to the world. We all do, to an extent. What does your phone etiquette say about you?

Gravity Got You Down?

Over the years, technology has given rise to some weird and wonderful medical ailments, the most recent of which being Text Neck; that hunched-over look you get when you spend too long looking down at your phone.

Our heads are heavy objects, designed to be held up at a certain angle (thanks a lot, gravity!). Tilting your head downward for extended periods puts as much as 60 pounds of pressure on your spine. This can lead to lifelong back and neck pain – the damage may even be permanent.

When you assume an upright posture, you are, by definition, keeping your head up and in perfect alignment with the rest of your body. Try to be mindful of this the next time you find yourself hunched over your phone or computer.

NSFW (Not Safe for Walking)

How many times have you come within a hair’s breadth of being knocked down by a car or bicycle because you were focused on your phone instead of looking where you were going? Mm-hm. No use denying it!

Short of attaching a periscope to your phone, you’re just going to have to start looking up more. Luckily, it’s easy to train yourself to be more aware of your body and your surroundings. How you carry your body governs how you move through space, so it’s crucial that you develop spatial awareness through good posture to avoid becoming another statistic.

Oversharing Is Not Caring!

If you’ve been to a music concert in the last 10+ years, you will have noticed the sea of smartphones all pointed at the stage. Because, you know, #YOLO. Now, you might dismiss this need to be “always on” as a sign of the times, but it’s stopping us from living in the moment. And because our brains are being rewired to constantly expect these artificial stimuli, we’re experiencing elevated levels of anxiety, depression, and insomnia.

So, the next time you feel the urge to pull out your phone to capture the moment – don’t. Simply be present and take it all in. You’ll soon find that this small but repeated shift in behavior is all it takes to create new and lasting habits.

Things That Go Bump in the Night

How serious is the slouching epidemic, you ask?

A recent study suggests that nearly 50% of young people are “growing horns” as a result of sustained terrible posture. These strange mutations are, in actual fact, tiny protrusions on the base of the skull that range in size from 10-30 millimeters. The culprit? You guessed it – hours spent hunched over their phones and computers. 

The good news is these bumps are harmless and can be corrected simply by adopting healthy screen habits and improving their posture. So, no need to run out and call an exorcist just yet!

Checked In with Yourself Lately?

As I mentioned earlier, it’s so easy to get distracted by technology in today’s modern world, we sometimes forget to be present. As a result, we may stop listening to our bodies and develop unhealthy habits that end up hurting us. Every now and then, it’s important to take a step back from all the digital noise and assess your well-being: Are you drinking enough water? Are you getting enough sleep? Are you exercising enough? Are you practicing good posture? Improving your body alignment through repeated action serves as a type of meditation and is a great way to stay centered.

There Is a Smarter Solution

We’re only just starting to see the fallout from spending too much time with our phones. Bad habits have formed that we might not even be aware of. The trick is to become more mindful of our bodies and slowly adopt healthy new behaviors. With practice and time, we can undo the harmful effects of endless scrolling, swiping, and tapping. Paired with the right technology, we can actually use our phones to boost our health and achieve peak wellness.

Take the UPRIGHT GO 2 for example. This tiny smart device attaches to your back and gently vibrates anytime you slouch, prompting you to adjust the way you sit, stand, and move around. Sync it with your phone and get instant biofeedback to track your progress. With regular training, you’ll notice significant improvements to your posture in under 14 days. This, in turn, will make you appear taller and more confident, boost your energy and focus, and make you feel generally healthier.

Now, isn’t that something worth phoning home about?

The post Smartphones: You’ve Been Using Them All Wrong! appeared first on UPRIGHT Posture Training Device.