You’ve all heard about the need for workplace ergonomics, but how do we achieve it? Office comfort is vital to employee wellbeing, and ergonomic principles promote worker comfort and health. Workers come to the office with a diverse set of needs, and therefore, everyone may need a different kind of support to fit their body type to keep them comfortable and happy throughout the day. With adjustable products, everybody type can have the ergonomic benefits they desire to help relieve stress and strain on the body.
With proper ergonomic consideration, you can reduce the risk of injuries that can occur over time while also promoting productivity and focus throughout the day. From how you sit up in your chair to the height of your computer screen, there are many ways you can help your body get the relief it needs. To start, look at your workplace environment.
Your chair is arguably the most important piece of furniture in your office. You use it the most, and when not optimized, it can cause pain and fatigue over time. Choose a chair that supports your lumbar. Ensure you adjust the seat height, so your feet rest comfortable and flat on the floor. The seat depth should be adjusted so there are at least 2-3” of clearance between the back of your knees and the front edge of the seat. The armrests should be adjustable, so your arms are always supported. This reduces stress on the shoulders and neck throughout the day. The recline tension of the chair should be adjusted to allow easy recline and movement without feeling as though the chair is tipping unwantedly.
Lower back pain is a common complaint amongst office workers. Ensure that your chair supports your lumbar properly. Try to find a seat that offers lumbar support that adjusts to feel comfortable to you as you sit and work. Your chair can fit your body like a glove and provides the support you need, when you need it.
If you have ever experienced your legs losing circulation or a tingling feeling in the thighs, that is a sign of circulation loss and that your body pressure is not properly distributed on the seat. Find a chair with a curved “waterfall” edge and adjustable seat depth to minimize fatigue and reduce pressure points around the thighs. Additionally, ensure that the seat height is adjusted so that your feet are firmly supported on the floor or footrest. Avoid tucking your feet under the seat or resting them on the base of the chair.
There are a lot of features to chairs, so be sure to find one that checks all the boxes you’re looking for. Your chair is a very important part of keeping your body relaxed and pain free, so be picky. HON Chairs are designed with you in mind. With their ergonomic features, they allow you adjustment where you need it most: from the arms, to the seat depth, to the lumbar support, and more.
While the chair is an essential component in creating an ergonomic workstation setup, it’s one element and must coordinate with the rest of your space. Once your chair is adjusted, you may find that your desk might not be the adequate height for you to work comfortably. The popular height adjustable desk options are a perfect solution to allow you to position your worksurface at the right height to avoid awkward arm and shoulder postures. Additionally, the height adjustable desks also provide the option to transition between sitting and standing throughout the day, aiding in a more active work style and keeping your body moving.
If the height adjustable desk isn’t the right choice for you, there is another solution; a desktop sit to stand device. Designed to secure to the surface of the desk, it also allows you to transition from sitting to standing. The lower platform allows the keyboard and mouse to rest closer to the comfortable resting arm positions from the chair, which may reduce the need to reach.
There are many ways to add ergonomic features to your workspace, but remember, the pain your body develops from inadequate posture cannot be entirely prevented from quality furniture alone. New advancements in office furniture technology has provided the tools you need to help you avoid major workplace injuries in the muscles, tendons, and nerves where possible. It is up to you to use the tools correctly to reduce the risk of these injuries and enjoy a healthier and more productive workday.
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