When you think of workplace injuries, you may imagine big, serious accidents that result in TBIs, broken bones and similar injuries. However, repetitive stress injuries are just as common as these bigger accidents and can cause workers short- and long-term issues.
It doesn’t matter if you are a laborer or sit at a desk; you can experience repetitive stress injuries from using the same muscles, the same way, repeatedly.
If you have experienced a repetitive stress injury in the past, you may wonder what you can do to prevent it from happening again. This is especially the case if you are returning to the same job that caused the issue. The good news is that there are steps you can take to avoid further injuries:
Giving your muscles a break to prevent repetitive stress injuries
Some of the things you can do to prevent repetitive stress injuries include:
- Changing your position
- Doing a different task
- Stretching
- Adjusting your posture
Another method of preventing repetitive stress injuries and giving your muscles a break is by taking “microbreaks.”
What are microbreaks?
A microbreak is a 30- to 60-second break every 10 to 20 minutes. During this short break period, do something different than what you have been doing. One way to take advantage of a microbreak is by stretching. You don’t even have to leave your desk to do this. Just stand up and stretch your back, legs and neck.
During a microbreak, it’s also a good idea to relax your eyes, especially if you are looking at a screen for most of the day.
Preventing injuries with regular breaks
Microbreaks can not only help prevent repetitive stress injuries but other injuries, as well. They give you a chance to step away from what you are doing and refocus on staying safe.
