You probably have back pain.
I don’t know math, but it feels like 100% of the people who work in HR have back pain. What’s up with you people? (Yes, you people.) If you work in HR or recruiting, your back hurts.
Fine, okay, my back also hurts. Shut up. Here is what I’m thinking.
Theory #1: We are sitting too much.
If your back hurts, maybe you should get up and move around. I was given a FitBit, and I take about 5,000 steps each day. It’s not enough. I know that my back doesn’t hurt when I step away from my dodgy, ergonomically flawed desk and move. If I sit for more than 30 minutes straight, I’m doomed.
Theory #2: Our food babies weigh us down.
I won’t lie — my stomach is bigger than my hips because I like it when people mistake me for being pregnant. My food baby makes me sexy. Unfortunately, my protruding tummy strains my core. So before you freak out, know this: I feel your pain, and nobody is telling you that you’re too fat. Strengthening your core is never a bad idea, though. You don’t need to be one of those fools who uses an exercise ball for an office chair, but a few exercises might save your back. I like this pocket guide to stretches, which I keep near my desk. It’s good. Trust me!
Theory #3: Your real baby weighs you down.
How many of you lift your kids on a regular basis? Lifting my poonchy cat, Emma, is a struggle. She’s only 11 pounds but feels heavier. If your kids are killing your back, be mindful and do some exercises to alleviate that pain. Or stop lifting your children. Those monsters can walk.
Theory #4: Our backs have bothered us for years, and it’s just the way things are going to be.
I know many people who’ve suffered through back pain for decades. They are resigned to a life of pain. I get it, but sometimes a new perspective might be helpful. If you work in HR, you have access to experts who specialize in back pain. Be selfish, and ask those experts to come in for a “lunch and learn” to talk about back pain and whatnot. Pretend like you care about your employees and ask a million questions about your condition. A fresh pair of eyes never hurts.
Theory #5: Maybe it’s a little bit of everything.
All of my theories might be true. If you work in human resources, you’re most likely a parent, and you sit for too long. You might carry a little extra weight in your stomach, and your back may have bothered you for years. While pain in unavoidable in life, sometimes HR and recruiting professionals think about everybody else’s health and wellness but themselves.
So if you were waiting for a sign to deal with your aching back, this is it. Take good care of yourself, and this is how you’ll take good care of your workforce.
Back pain is no joke. I’m pregnant with baby #2 and I’m pretty sure all your reasons apply and my back pain is severe this time around. I had a prenatal massage and was explaining how bad it is and we talked about how sitting for so long, picking up your toddlers, and your core being pretty much gone while pregnant are all contributing factors. In the last few weeks what’s helped though is making the time to exercise – even the elliptical for 30 minutes helped my back pain! We need to remember to take care of ourselves! I’m just glad our cat is “small framed” and only weighs 7 pounds! 😉
CONGRATS!
I had been awake less than 30 minutes before I thought ‘my back hurts’. I had a make-shift stand up desk at my last job and it was wonderful, if you can get one do it. Once you get through the first week of remembering how to properly stand up straight your life will be better for it.
Two most common things I talked about at HR tech with people of all ages:
1. “Are you going to see The Wallflowers? What parties are you going to?”
2. “My back hurts.”
I did not see The Wallflowers. My back hurts, too. I need to stand!
I am laughing here because I have a back pillow in the car, at my desk and I rarely wear heels anymore. My standing desk is in the closet. I pick up my little monster and I eat too much. I’m screwed. But I hear ya.