Your body's posture

Most of us have felt some kind of upper‑body discomfort — shoulders, wrists, neck, fingers, back. We often shrug it off… until it starts getting in the way.

Let’s call this: YBP — Your Body’s Posture (and sometimes, Your Body’s Protest). When something feels off, your body is signalling. And signals are useful.

We can group the common causes into five categories:

  1. Mindset
  2. Work environment
  3. Body patterns
  4. Lifestyle
  5. Life Events

Mindset

Is your mindset set to or open to:

  • I never feel pain.

  • It will go away.

  • I don't have time or money to fix my pain.

  • I don't like to exercise.

  • I don't feel motivated.

Sitting Work Environment

These desk settings will help your posture:

  • Check your chair type, arm rests and wheels should be able to roll easily, with appropriate back support).

  • Desks without drawers, so they don't block leg space.

  • Monitor at the right height.

  • Keyboard close to our arms.

  • Either a semi vertical or vertical mouse to alleviate the standard's unnatural wrist position.

  • Wrist support.

  • See further below for recommendations.

Standing Work Environment

 

These work settings will help your posture:.

  • Bend your knees when picking things up: to avoid straining your back.

  • Adequate footwear: find the right fit so your foot frame is well supported.

  • "Never walk empty handed" was my manager's motto when I was a waitress. Save trips when you can.
  • Carry loads with both arms.

Body Patterns

Our bodies fall into awkward shapes, especially when we are focused or stressed.

  • Mummy pose: long hours sitting still.

  • Quasimodo pose: slouched position.

  • Stone pose: little or no physical activity.

  • Sleep posture, are pillow and mattress supportive? And any pets claiming your legs, neck, head as their territory?

  • Nutrition: do you have the necessary amount of vitamins, minerals, proteins, etc?

  • Relying on quick fixes that mask the pain.

  • Not taking breaks from a static posture.

Lifestyle

With awareness, we could look at doing these instead.

  • Holding our phone at eye level, giving our necks a break.

  • Considering office furniture for your home.

  • Making space for proper DSE (Display Screen Equipment) setup.

  • Carrying bags on both sides instead of using just one arm.
  • Wearing correct footwear to avoid imbalance or altered walking patterns.

Life Events

Sometimes discomfort comes from what’s happening around us.

  • Genetic inheritance.

  • Accidents.

  • Stressful periods.

  • Big changes affecting body or mind.

Your best posture

Small, consistent shifts will make a real difference.

  • Find a fun physical activity you can do regularly.

  • Build posture awareness.

  • Set up reminders to move or reset. BYP! (Break Your Posture!)

  • Notice your mindset.

Awareness is the first step. Once you see the pattern, your pain will either be gone, or kept at bay.

I used to think ergonomic DSE equipment was awkward — until repetitive strain injury (Tennis Elbow) hit me, and suddenly I embraced DSE fully.

Most employers have agreements with companies like Posturite, who offer a huge range of ergonomic equipment: mice, keyboards, chairs, wrist supports, and more. And thanks to places like Amazon, it’s now much easier for anyone to buy their own setup at a more affordable price.

Computer mice

Logitech's MX Vertical Ergonomic Wireless Mouse: Great for people who can’t use a standard mouse but don’t want to go with a fully vertical mouse. I use this one at home.

At work I use Posturite's Penguin vertical mice. I didn’t like it at first, but after a few years it’s become the most comfortable position for my arm — especially paired with individual wrist supports. When my right arm became too injured to cope, I even had to learn to use my left hand.

Desks

You don’t need anything fancy to start with. Even the simplest £25 Ikea desk (the one without drawers) works well because you can slide your chair underneath properly.

Computer chairs

I once tried a quirky office chair at a friend’s house and found it unbelievably comfortable. It turned out to be a Herman Miller Chair.

They’re expensive, but the back support is on another level — and they come with a 12‑year warranty. My £800 work chair wasn’t nearly as supportive as the £500 one I found on Back2's website. Tip: choose the version that can roll on carpet if you have carpeted floors.

Arm monitors

If you can get two monitors, do it. It takes a little time to adjust, but it makes a huge difference to posture and reduces neck strain. Amazon has plenty of affordable monitor arm options. See Amazon's options.