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.

What’s making you slouch

You might find yourself slouching throughout your day and not even realize how you got there. Then, you might wonder how you can fix a habit you didn’t realize was forming. With more advances in technology, we are seeing good posture retire; some of the little devices that connect us to the rest of the world, are disconnecting us from our healthiest posture. Slumping over laptops, tablets and cell phones is becoming more and more prevalent in every part of our society. From playing phone games in the waiting room of the doctor’s office, to a Netflix binge on a laptop in bed, to a video chat with family on a tablet, the capabilities of smart devices fit into every part of the day, and can distract from healthy posture. Because of screen size, people generally hunch over their devices to get a better view, or slump back for “comfortable” lounging. And with the constant entertainment, it can be easy to lose track of how long you’ve been sitting in a bad position.

Another common slouching activity is driving. From hyper-focus on the road to a seat that isn’t positioned right, it can be easy to pinch the shoulders up into the neck and hunch over the steering wheel. This is especially common in shorter drivers, who are usually sitting closer to the steering wheel. While poor posture on a quick trip to the store may not seem like a big deal, the way you sit in your car for quick trips will teach your body the position to settle into for long trips. Poor posture over multiple trips to the store and long work commutes can start to affect well-being.

Why does posture matter

Why put so much focus on good posture? Why not slouch when relaxing after a long day? Posture affects multiple facets of overall health, for better or worse. Along with the general younger and slimmer appearance good posture can give, it actually helps prevent back, neck, and shoulder pain. When your body isn’t aligned correctly extra strain is created in areas that aren’t equipped to support your weight. Imagine holding a bowling ball directly in front of you with one arm, how long could your arm stay strong before the weight of the bowling ball starts to wear on you? A hunched over head can put stress on your neck in a similar way, leading to tight, stiff muscles and chronic pain.

Posture affects more than visible, physical health. Upright posture allows for better oxygen flow into and through your body, which improves the function of every organ, including your brain. Upright posture can give an emotional boost and support positive mental health, while poor posture is linked to poor confidence and increased depression. Simply standing or sitting up straight could be the best gift to give your body.

Now that you know where you might be slouching, and why slouching can be harmful, how do you fix bad habits? Because the habit of slouching creeps up at different times and in different ways, there is not one simple solution. Fixing your posture comes from a combination of fixing your environment, strengthening and relieving your muscles, and staying disciplined in your efforts.

How to stop slouching

If you have poor posture because of an old desk chair or uncomfortable car seat, sitting up straight won’t fix the underlying issue, and you won’t see lasting results. To improve posture while driving, insert a small pillow between your lower back and the back of the chair. This will give added back support and a gentle reminder to sit up straight. Adjust your workstation to provide optimal posture support, and talk with your manager or HR department if you need new equipment. Read more about how to improve posture at work. Avoid unnecessary day-to-day stress on your body by opting for purses or backpacks that distribute their weight evenly across your shoulders or body. A heavy work bag that is always carried on the same shoulder can contribute to misalignment and pain. You can also avoid hunching over devices by not using your lap as a desk for your laptop, and bringing your phone to eye level for games or text messaging. While you may feel silly at first, your body will thank you with improved health.

Fixing your environment is only the first step, next you’ll need to stretch and strengthen your muscles. Maintaining good posture may feel exhausting at first if your body is used to slumping and slouching. You’ll need to train your muscles to hold new positions and support your body weight in new ways. Don’t worry, your body will adjust quickly as good posture is the way your body is designed to naturally support itself. Create new posture habits with exercises that strengthen back and shoulder muscles, and help break old habits with stretches that lift tightness. 

A great exercise to begin your good posture journey is wall angels. Stand with your back pressed up against a flat wall. Plant your feet slightly wider than shoulder width. Your head, shoulder blades, and buttocks should all be touching the wall, but the back of your heels should be a few inches out from the wall. Bring your arms out to your side and bend your elbows at a 90 degree angle. Your elbows and the back of your hands should be laying on the wall. Slowly lift your arms towards the ceiling, above your head in a wide “V” shape, maintaining contact with the wall, then bring your arms back down to your sides in the 90 degree angle position. While performing this exercise, focus on keeping your shoulders rolled back and down. Repeat this exercise twice, doing 10 reps each time.

Strengthening your abdominal muscles is a great way to support your back and upright posture. The superman exercise in particular can promote strengthening both areas, together. To perform the superman start by laying flat on the ground on your stomach. Place your arms stretched out in front of you, above your head. Lift your arms, shoulders, and chest off the ground at the same time you lift your feet, shins and thighs off the ground. Your body should create a slight bowl shape from your fingers to your toes. Hold this position for 10 seconds, relax for 10 seconds, and repeat 5 times. Then, repeat the exercise, but this time instead of holding your arms straight forward above your head, hold your arms straight to your side, creating a “T” or “Superman” position. Once again, focus on keeping your shoulders rolled back and down through your repetitions. 

Complete both exercises at least once daily. Implementing the exercises multiple times throughout the day is encouraged. Give a way for your muscles to relax by adding in stretches that also promote good posture.

Begin with the cobra position. After you have finished your superman exercise, continue to lay on the floor on your stomach. Lift your chest off the ground again, but this time, support yourself by placing your hands directly below your chest and pushing through your arms to hold yourself up. (This stretch may look like the classical depiction of a mermaid perched on a rock.) Roll your shoulders down and back and imagine an invisible thread pulling your chest toward the corner where the wall meets the ceiling. Remember, this stretch is for your back and should not cause any pain.

Stretch your shoulders and upper back while strengthening correct posture muscles with the shoulder pinch. Roll your shoulders back and picture an imaginary string running down your back between your shoulder blades. Push your shoulder blades back and together to squeeze this imaginary string while you hold your head straight up, looking forward. Hold the shoulder blade pinch for 10 seconds, relax for 10 seconds, and repeat 5 times. Perform this pinch a few times throughout the day for best results.

While using the wall, move to the corner of the room for another shoulder stretch. Begin by facing the corner and standing about a foot away. Bring your arms out to your sides at shoulder height and bend at the elbow to create two 90 degree angles. Place one hand and respective elbow on each wall and while standing straight lean towards the corner. You should not need to learn far to feel the stretch in your upper back. Hold this stretch for 15 seconds and repeat throughout the day.

Stretch your neck by leaning your head sideways and using your hand to gently pull your head closer to your shoulder. Remember you should feel the stretch working, but should not feel any sharp pain or intense strain. Using the same amount of pull, bring your chin to your chest and tug your head slightly toward your body with your hand. These stretches will release tension built up from holding your head in incorrect positions, and can easily be done at your work desk.

Stretching affects posture not only from how well you stretch, but how often. Each morning when rising from bed you should stretch your back to ease any stress built up from sleeping positions. Starting your day with a fresh body will boost your ability to maintain straight posture. Throughout the day you should take a few minutes to walk around and do short, simple stretches anytime you are sitting stationary for more than 30 minutes. A quick stretch can also give your brain room to take a mental break before refocusing on the tasks at hand.

Along with regular stretching, routine relaxation techniques can aid the body in releasing tension and improving posture. Yoga classes, physical therapy, chiropractic massages, and mindfulness and meditation can all be performed to supplement your posture training. Experiment with which methods work best for you, and how often you are able to participate.

Armed with a new environment, and new stretches and exercises, it is time to get disciplined. Although good posture is innate to your body, it will take effort to overcome bad habits. Continue to practice your stretches and exercises, improve your environment, and stay aware of your posture throughout your day. It may be helpful to set reminders on your phone or leave a sticky note on your computer reminding you to ‘sit up straight.’ The all new UPRIGHT GO 2™ can serve as as easy reminder, as the discreet device on your back will gently buzz when you start to slouch. Learn more about how the Upright Go can help you. Staying disciplined will not only help you improve your posture, but maintain it. As you persist in your efforts to stop slouching, you will see the benefits of good posture unfold in your life.

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