Ergonomics can make your daily work routine much more comfortable and enjoyable. You will need to consider ergonomics as a major part of your office space design. Being able to utilize ergonomic solutions in your home office will make sure that you are comfortable all day long as you work. It will also ensure that you do not get injured while you are working each day.
As of 2021, about 40% of people who are working from home are not even working from a dedicated desk. This means that nearly half the people that are working from home are probably sitting at the kitchen counter or maybe on the couch. This can lead to call kinds of injuries that could be avoided with proper ergonomics in place.
If you are ready to learn some more about the ways to make your office more ergonomic, you need to read on.
Ways to Make Your Office More Ergonomic
1. Consider a Sit/Stand Desk
Sitting can be very hard on your body, and you will want to be sure that you consider if being seated all day is making your back hurt or causing neck and wrist pain. You might find that sitting is the source of most of your discomfort all day long. You can easily slump or twist your back too far by reaching for things when you are sitting in front of a desk with a poor-quality chair or when working at a desk that is too tall or too short for you.
Sit/stand desks can make all of this a problem of the past. You will be able to stand up or sit down as you wish with this kind of desk in your home office, and you can adjust these desks to any height that you wish. Sit/stand desks can be a little spendy, but they are worth every penny when you see how comfortable they can make your working days.
2. Get an Office Stool
If you have shelving or cabinets up high, you will need to make sure that you are not climbing up onto the counters or standing on items that are not stable enough for your body weight. You can easily get hurt struggling to reach things in these high places, and you will want to avoid twisting, reaching, or straining to get anything that you need to access during your day.
An office stool can be a really good solution for this kind of need. People of all heights can benefit from having access to this kind of tool in the office. You will spare your body a lot of wear and tear by making sure that you have the right office tools on hand, and a good office stool can be a big help. Office stools can be used for a variety of different purposes, and you will be glad to have one.
3. Adjust Your Chair Properly
Adjusting your chair can make a big difference in your overall comfort on a daily basis. You will want to be sure that you are using an office chair that adjusts correctly so that you can sit in the right position all day long. Being able to roll smoothly and change the height of the armrests can also help make sure that you do not hurt your back or your shoulders and arms.
Well-made office chairs will hold up to your weight and will not wobble or slide around when you do not want them to. You should be sure that you never use an office chair that does not adjust properly as this can cause long-term problems for your health. A chair that adjusts properly is critical to avoiding this kind of discomfort and problems that can haunt your health for years to come.
4. Position Your Screens
You will always want to be sure that you are not ignoring one of the most obvious reasons that you are uncomfortable all day long at your desk. It is all too easy to position your screens incorrectly and not even know that this is causing you discomfort on a daily basis. You can strain to see all day and not realize how hard this is on your back or your eyes.
Positioning your screens correctly is very important for your well-being. You will want to make sure that you have them close enough to see clearly without straining forward, craning your head and neck, or looking up or down in a way that will hurt your body.
5. Make Sure You Are Maintaining Your Natural Posture
When you are looking at ergonomic solutions and adjustments for your current office space, you will want to make sure that you are not changing your native posture to fit the needs of your office. Your office needs to work to keep you comfortable and not the other way around. Make sure that you do not compromise your posture, or you will be defeating the purpose of your efforts.
Your natural posture is the right starting point for your ergonomic adjustments and efforts. If you do not use your natural and comfortable seated position as your home base for your ergonomic efforts, you will end up with future injuries that are caused by the changes that you have made for your comfort.
Ergonomics Are Key to Preventing Injury and Working in Comfort
When you are considering the right way to make your office more comfortable and enjoyable every day, you need to keep ergonomics in mind. Having an ergonomic chair, a sit/stand desk, or adjusting your screens can make your office much more comfortable and better for your body. Taking the time to improve the ergonomics of your office can be key to keeping your body in good health and being able to focus while you work all day long.
Ergonomics need to be based around your natural seated position or they will not work right. Make sure that you are not working against yourself by setting your office up in a way that is ergonomic but not correct for your needs.