For a free ergonomic assessment of your SFSU workstation by an Ergonomic Safety Program coach, please contact: Environmental Health and Occupational Safety at 338-1449.

Most people hold their breath when they reach forward to pick up the phone or retrieve a document from a shelf. Breath holding tends to stiffen the trunk, tighten the shoulders reduces flexibility and increases the risk of injury. To increase flexibility, BREATHE AS YOU REACH.

HOW TO BREATHE AS YOU REACH:

Begin observing your breath patterns during movement and reaching. Begin exhaling and while continuing to exhale reach for the object such as the phone or document. To remind yourself to breathe during movement, whisper "Haaaaaah" very softly as you exhale-allow the exhalation time to be nearly twice as long as the inhalation time.

Practice many times until it is automatic. After integrating breathing with reaching, most people report feeling more flexible and comfortable.