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May is Bike Month: 5 Benefits of Cycling

Did you know May is National Bike Month? With warm weather and summer quickly approaching, this is the perfect time to tune up your bicycle, dust off your helmet and get cycling! Whether you are biking for pleasure or as your daily transportation, you can enjoy the many benefits the sport can offer your body.

What is National Bike Month?

Sponsored by the League of American Bicyclists and established in 1956, National Bike Month is celebrated around the country during the month of May. It is meant to encourage those new to bicycling to give it a try and spread the word about the benefits of staying active. How can cycling positively impact your life and the world around you? Read on for the details.

How to Have Good Posture

People that are on a weight loss journey might find themselves struggling with excess fat in their belly area. However, there’s a chance that you can go from flab to flat in just a few easy steps. Correct posture can help you have a leaner appearance, in addition to reducing neck strain and back pain. Learn how to improve your posture to give your appearance and health a boost!

3 Ways to Improve Your Posture

1. Feet: An important aspect of having correct posture is ensuring your feet remain flat on the floor. Whether you are standing or sitting, feet that are firmly planted flat against the floor help you  keep your neck, back and spine in alignment.

Ergonomics in the Office

If you find yourself feeling body pain or soreness after a long day of work in the office, chances are your workspace might be in need of makeover with ergonomics in mind. Learn our three favorite tips on using ergonomics in the office to take a step towards improving health and boosting happiness in the workplace!

1. Desk: The height of your desk is vital to maintaining good posture and avoiding injury. Desks can be adjusted to be at eye-level to reduce strain, or consider using a standing desk to reduce the chance of decreased blood flow, which can impact circulation and overall health.
2. Chair: With your desk at an appropriate height, the next common issue to address is the space you spend a majority of time working at a computer: your office chair. Be sure your chair supports your entire back and neck to help minimize the risk of straining muscles and long-term injuries.

Ergonomics Everywhere

Perhaps it’s the increased use of muscle-straining smartphones or added stress in the workplace, but the use of ergonomic solutions continues to rise. Chances are there are ergonomic designs for nearly everything you do at school, home or work. In addition to products for office ergonomics there are also tools to help you beyond the desk to live a life with less back pain and stress.

1. Hiking: Trekking up a mountain can be an exhilarating experience. Be sure to make the most of it by having the right equipment to reduce the chances of experiencing back pain, such as walking poles and supportive shoes. Walking poles provide an additional exercise for the arms and also promote stability when moving.

2. Driving: Spending a lot of time in traffic could be causing damage to your body, resulting in back pain or headaches. Alleviate post-driving body aches by ensuring your seat is in a comfortable and supportive position and your head rest is at an appropriate angle.

Back-Strengthening Exercises

Whether you’re an office employee or a construction worker, back strength is vital for overall health and pain management. Weak or injured muscles can be prevented by performing moderate exercises for a just a few moments each day. Check out some of these great exercises from Voom for inspiration!

1. Standing Swimmer: Did you know swimmers tend to have biologically younger bodies than non-swimmers? Get muscular benefits of swimming without hitting the water with this exercise that targets the upper back and chest:

  

4 Ways to Stay Active at Work

Staying active can be a huge challenge for employees that work in an office environment and spend most of their day sitting in a chair. In addition to the potential issues that can stem from excessive time spent sitting down, there is also a chance that long-term computer usage can cause strain to the eyes and neck muscles. Keep yourself active no matter where you are with these easy tips!

1. Walk: Taking a break from work is important to keep energy levels boosted throughout the work day. Enjoying a brief walk will allow your muscles to get moving, burn a few extra calories and relieve stress.

What Causes Back Pain?

Dealing with back pain can present many challenges, especially when the cause of the pain seems to be a mystery. However, the main sources of back pain could be caused from something most people do every day: work. Whether you work on a construction site or at a desk in an office, the movement and posture of your body can come back to haunt you if proper precautions aren’t taken.

3 Workplaces That May Make Your Back Hurt

1. Traditional Offices: Sitting at a desk for several hours a day can cause tension to build up in your back. Be sure to take breaks from sitting every couple of hours to stretch and keep your body moving. Pain in the neck can also indicate that your chair and desk are not in an optimal position. There are tons of great options that can reduce the chance of pain from sitting at a desk such as standing desks and ergonomically-friendly office supplies.

Office du Jour: Ergonomics for Freelancers

Working from home has become more common as technological advances reduce the need to go to a physical location for work. Thanks to innovations such as group video chats for staff meetings, file sharing websites and increased Internet connectivity, many employees are taking advantage of the opportunity to work remotely. While some work from their home office (or bed), many employees can be seen typing away at a local coffee shop as their office du jour. Did you know selecting the right ergonomics and location to work matters for both productivity and your health? Read on to find out why!

10 Things Your Personal Trainer Is Thinking About You

Getting into a solid exercise routine can be extremely beneficial to your health and wellbeing. Working out has so many proven benefits for the body and mind. Also, if done correctly, it can be a great preventative for back pain. Many people even consider getting a personal trainer to help amp up their gym time and hopefully improve results. Personal trainers are great for getting you a tough workout, but do you know what they’re thinking while working with you? With help from Answers.com, we got inside the mind of a trainer.  

10 Things Your Trainer is Thinking About You

1. "I wish you would listen to me." - Personal trainers take great pride in their knowledge of the human body and how to sculpt it, and they want you to listen to their suggestions. One of the advantages of working with a trainer is the one-on-one interaction.

Back Pain: Help from 5 Foods and Supplements

Finding the right method for your back pain can be a never ending search. Everyone has their own home remedies that they promise will cure your pain and have you feeling better than ever. People are relentlessly looking for and trying out anything they can to relieve their pain. Many of these attempts show to be a waste of time and money. That being said, there are some foods and supplements that you can take at home to help with your torturous back pain. 

5 Foods and Supplements to Help with Back Pain

1.      Fish Oil

Fish oils serve as an anti-inflammatory thanks to the high levels of Omega-3 fatty acids. Switching to a fish oil supplement may also be a safer alternative for those also suffering with spinal pain.