Do you often experience neck pain while studying? If so, you’re not alone. Many students find that they get a lot of tension and stiffness in their necks when they try to focus for long periods of time. In this blog post, we will discuss 7+ ways that you can reduce neck pain while studying. By following these tips, you’ll be able to stay productive and minimize the amount of discomfort you feel!
How to reduce neck pain while studying
- Practice proper posture
- Take frequent breaks
- Adjust your desk/chair/computer
- Stay hydrated
- Move your neck around
- Exercise
- Apply Heat
- Gently Massage
Practice proper posture:
One of the main causes of neck pain is poor posture. When you sit hunched over your books or laptop, you’re putting a lot of strain on your neck and shoulders. To avoid this, sit up straight and make sure your head is in line with your spine.
Sit up straight with your shoulders back and use a pillow if needed to support your head and neck.
It may take some time to get used to, but once you do, you’ll notice a big difference in how your neck feels.
Take frequent breaks:
Another way to reduce neck pain while studying is to take frequent breaks. This is especially important if you’re studying for long periods of time. Get up and walk around every 20-30 minutes to give your neck a chance to move and stretch. This will help reduce stiffness and tension.
An added bonus of taking frequent breaks is that it actually helps with studying! This well-researched study tip is known as the Pomodoro Technique.
Adjust your desk/chair/computer:
If you’re spending long hours studying, it’s important to have a comfortable setup. Make sure your desk and chair are at the right height for you, and that your computer screen is at eye level.
The distance from your eyes to the screen should be about arm’s length. This will help reduce strain on your neck and shoulders and make it easier to focus for long periods of time.
There are even some ergonomic chairs that are specifically designed to reduce neck pain. If you can, invest in one of these chairs or another type of ergonomic furniture. This will help to reduce the amount of strain on your neck.
Move your neck around:
A common problem when studying is we tense up and allow our neck to stiffen. This can lead to pain and discomfort. To avoid this, make sure you move your neck around every few minutes.
Gently tilt your head from side to side and do some neck rolls. This will help keep your neck loose and reduce pain.
Exercise:
One of the best ways to reduce neck pain is to exercise. This helps to strengthen the muscles in your neck and shoulders, which can help reduce stiffness and tension. Exercise also has many mental health benefits so it can serve a dual purpose in this regard.
There are a number of different exercises you can do to help reduce neck pain. One simple exercise is to sit up straight and slowly tilt your head back until you’re looking at the ceiling. Hold this position for a few seconds before returning to your starting position.
Another easy exercise is to sit up straight and then gently bring your right ear towards your right shoulder. Hold this position for a few seconds before returning to the starting position. Repeat on the other side.
Do these exercises a few times per day to help reduce neck pain.
Stay Hydrated:
Dehydration can contribute to neck pain and neck stiffness, so it’s important to drink plenty of water throughout the day. Aim for 8-10 glasses and you’ll notice a difference.
Apply Heat:
Applying heat to your neck can also help to relieve pain. Try using a heating pad or taking a hot shower before you study. This will help to loosen up your muscles and reduce tension.
Gently Massage:
Finally, gently massaging your neck can also be helpful. Use your fingers to massage the muscles in your neck and shoulders. This can reduce the amount of neck pain you experience while studying.