Hello Beautiful Soul,🌷
For a while, I had an image of a woman in my head.
A rounded back. Her head leaning forward. Tired eyes. The unmistakable appearance of someone who has answered quite enough emails.
I was convinced she was a museum exhibit.
Perhaps a serious sculpture about modern life. Something you stand beside, looking thoughtful, before going home to sit in exactly the same position.
Well, I have now discovered her name is Emma.
And I owe the museum world a small apology.
Who is Emma?
Emma is a life-sized model created in 2019 for a campaign called The Work Colleague of the Future, commissioned by workplace equipment company Fellowes.
Drawing on a report, expert input and a survey of office workers, the campaign imagined how unhealthy working habits might affect our bodies over twenty years.
Emma was given a rounded back, a forward-leaning head, red eyes and swollen legs, among other features.
She is a deliberately dramatic illustration, rather than a scientific prediction of what every office worker will become.
And yes, the company behind her sells workplace equipment. So there is a commercial purpose alongside the health message.
Still, she makes you pause.
Preferably long enough to stand up.
We upgraded the technology. Our bodies would like a word.
So much of life now happens through a screen.
Work, shopping, appointments, messages, banking. Even relaxing can involve closing one screen and opening a slightly smaller one.
We can organise our entire day without leaving the chair.
Very efficient.
Our shoulders were apparently not invited to the planning meeting.
Long spells at a desk, especially with an uncomfortable setup and few changes of position, can contribute to tired eyes and discomfort in the neck, shoulders and back.
That does not mean sitting is a personal failure, or that your body is slowly turning into Emma.
It means your body needs some variety during the working day.
You do not need to resign and move to a forest
Most of us cannot simply stop using computers.
There are bills to pay, jobs to do and passwords to reset for the third time this month.
But caring for your body can fit into the life you already have.
Take short breaks from the screen. Stand up and move when you can. Change position. Walk during a phone call if it is practical. Give your eyes a break, too.
Look at your workspace: can you see the screen comfortably? Are your arms supported? Is something making you twist or reach all day?
There is no need to sit perfectly still in one “perfect” position.
A comfortable setup and regular movement make a much more useful starting point.
And outside work, make room for activities you enjoy - walking, dancing, swimming, strength work, whatever helps you keep moving.
It does not need to look impressive on Instagram to count.
Where massage fits in
At my home-based women’s studio in North Greenwich, I often work with women who spend much of their day at a desk.
They come with shoulders that feel heavy, a back that needs attention, or simply the wish to spend an hour away from a screen.
Massage can help ease muscular tension and offer some time to rest.
It also gives us a chance to talk about how your body feels, where you notice discomfort, and what you need from that particular session.
I would love to tell you that one massage can cancel out a month of sitting.
It would make an excellent business model.
Unfortunately, your body still needs you between appointments.
Movement, rest, a suitable workspace and massage can all have a place in your routine. Persistent or worsening symptoms deserve assessment by a healthcare professional, too.
A little care, before your body has to shout
If you find massage helpful, two appointments a month might be a rhythm that suits you.
For someone else, a monthly visit or an occasional session may be more practical. We can choose around your needs, your response to treatment and your budget.
There is no universal number you have to reach.
What I would love is for you to give your body a little attention regularly - rather than waiting until turning your head becomes a negotiation.
Notice how you feel. Make small changes. Give yourself permission to take a break before you are completely exhausted.
Thank you for the reminder, Emma
I began this story thinking I had remembered an important museum sculpture.
Instead, I found a workplace campaign and a woman who looks as though her afternoon meeting has been going on since 2019.
But the reminder stayed with me.
We spend so much time maintaining the things we work with. Updating software. Charging phones. Restarting laptops.
The person doing all that work deserves care, too.
So perhaps, when you finish this letter, stand up if you can. Move a little. Look away from the screen.
Your inbox will still be there.
It has shown remarkable commitment so far.
With love,
Olena💖
inSoul Wellness
