Sitting on a chair facing a screen for the greater part of our work day isn’t ideal for our bodies. We now know that we need to stand and move around from time to time.
We can stretch our muscles, move our joints and mind our posture. This, of course, is much easier said than done.
I tend to slouch while working on a desk and can’t always correct myself. I’ve also used office chairs that were cushy but didn’t anything for me ergonomically.
Once I changed chairs and tried to be more aware of my posture (as well as took care of positioning my monitor properly), I started to feel the difference.
With deadlines on the horizon and various distractions coming in from all directions, most desk workers are fixated on what is ahead of them and can’t always be mindful of what can improve their work life and life period.
An ergonomic office, or a work space that lends itself to improving your posture, comfort and alleviating many of the issues that lead to stress, back pain and other issues can help.
Getting a comfortable and ergonomic chair that can support as well as be adjusted to your specific needs and size is key.
A good chair ensures comfort but never at the cost of great lumbar support and adjustable headrests and elbow rests.
Office Desks are also important components to consider.
Most cubicles aren’t designed to adjust to all sizes of users. This means we each have to make the adjustments either by stacking the monitor on top of books or other stands in order to avoid neck and eyestrain. Some people like to have a footstool or bit of support while they are typing for prolonged periods.
There are also various standing desks, or attachments that allow for users to stand and adjust their keyboard and monitor.
Standing desks are popular and do offer a greater variety of movement while working, they are a less sedentary way to get things done.
The only issue I have with standing desks and attachments is that they’re not ideal for cable management and can look a bit messy.
Home based offices have a bit more flexibility. You can find a desk and office chair combination that is ideal for your needs and tailor your working conditions to your needs. Working from home also means, you have the freedom to get up, move around, stretch and even engage in some physical activity between jobs or during a break.
Conclusion
Since each person is different and each office situation varies, it makes good sense to try different approaches and solutions to make computing for prolonged periods of time better. A new desk or new office chair might not be the difference maker, but it is definitely a good start.
