Whether creating a home office or a work office, you’ll need to make it comfortable to work all day effectively. With that in mind, the tiniest aspects of your workspace can impact your productivity and overall health. For example, the height of your chair and your computer angle can make all the difference when it comes to your comfort while working. Check out these ten tips for incorporating ergonomic office furniture to stay on top of your work.
Invest in Adjustable Desks
Believe it or not, excessive strain on your body can cause you discomfort and muscle-related injuries. Because you should sit or stand in a neutral position, an adjustable desk can provide the means to ensure you don’t put unnecessary stress on your body. Each individual has a different shape and height, so an adjustable desk allows you to work easily and comfortably.
Consider Balance Ball Chairs
Although balance ball chairs shouldn’t be the only chairs in your office, they do provide a good change of pace for many people. Sitting in the same spot every day can cause anyone to feel tight and strained. Therefore, sitting on a balance ball chair can help you stretch your muscles, ease your tailbone, and reduce lower back stress. However, sitting on a ball for too long can also cause poor posture and contribute to more issues. So anyone who uses one should switch between the ball chair and a more traditional chair.
Footrests Make All the Difference
Sitting at your desk with your feet on the floor can create an odd and uncomfortable angle. There are a few different solutions for this problem, but a footrest is the best option. When you have something to rest your feet on, you’ll sit up straight without interrupting blood flow to your legs and feet. Although you can lower your chair to rest your feet flat on the ground, doing so may cause you to look up at your screen instead of sitting at eye level.
Lumbar Support Is Key
Lumbar support is one of the most important aspects of maintaining a comfortable and neutral position while you work. Many office chairs provide adequate support, while others require extra support. With that in mind, inadequate support can cause pain and increase your tendency to slouch in your chair. You can use something specifically made for lumbar support or wedge a pillow between your back and chair.
Use a Laptop Stand
Laptops are arguably the least ergonomic pieces of office equipment, and you should avoid using one if you can. However, you should use a laptop stand if you must use one to do your job. These stands work by elevating your computer to eye level so that you can view your screen without looking down. Moreover, they allow you to maintain a safe distance from the screen.
Adjustable Chairs Are Necessities
Since everyone has different preferences, adjustable chairs are among the top necessities for your office. The more adjustment features a chair has, the better. In fact, the best contemporary office chairs can adjust to just about any body type, making them suitable for anyone.
Don’t Forget a Document Holder
Just as your computer screen should be at eye level, any important document you need to refer to multiple times while working should also be close to your eye level. Rather than holding the paper in your hand and trying to type with one hand, use a document holder. You’ll be able to move between your computer screen and the document just by moving your eyes.
Consider the Environmental Settings
Although office furniture is essential for comfort and productivity, you must also consider the environmental settings around you. For example, lighting, temperature, and sounds can deeply influence you when you’re working. We go into more detail with each aspect here.
Lighting
Natural lighting is the best option, as artificial light can cause eyestrain and headaches. Avoid covering the windows in your office and use natural light as much as possible. Not only will it reduce your electric bill, but you’ll be able to soak in some vitamin D while you work.
Temperature
The temperature is one of the number one factors that influences focus in the workplace. For example, if you’re too cold, you might not be able to think about anything besides your freezing hands and feet. On the other hand, hot temperatures can cause excess stress and even anger.
Sounds
Loud music or TVs can also contribute to a lack of focus and decreased productivity. Therefore, keep white noise to a minimum. Consider using headphones or earplugs if you don’t have control over the sound around the office.
Aim for Prevention Instead of a Cure
Although switching to ergonomically-friendly office furniture is always a good idea, you shouldn’t wait until you need a cure for existing problems. Preventing damage before it happens should always be the first option, but an adjustable chair or desk might be able to reverse injuries before they worsen and leave you in pain.
Don’t Be Afraid To Move Around
Aside from enjoying better furniture, you can also benefit from moving around. Whether you have ergonomic furniture or not, the act of sitting or standing in the same spot all day can cause damage. For example, you might experience pain, stiffness, and headaches if you don’t move around. Give yourself a chance to do a full-body stretch at least once every two hours, and look away from your screen at least every 20 minutes.
Believe it or not, cybersickness is a real thing. Working on a computer all day without maintaining good posture and protecting your eyes from the blue light can cause you to feel physically ill. It’s no secret that you might feel sore and achy from bad posture, but you might also experience headaches and dizziness from staring at the screen.
Using these tips for incorporating ergonomic office furniture, you can create an unbeatable workspace to increase productivity and overall work satisfaction. Comfort goes a long way to increase happiness and make it much easier to do your job every day. Making a few changes to your workspace can improve your overall health and make you more productive as a result.
