When it comes to ergonomics, there’s a lot to learn. Many industry professionals want you to believe that a wide range of products are needed to get comfortable and that office productivity can only be improved with high tech, expensive, and fancy ergo tools. Today on the blog, we’re giving it to you straight by explaining 5 key points you need to know. Enjoy!
1.) You Don’t Need Every Product
First and foremost, you don’t need every high end ergonomic product on the market. If you’re designing a new workspace, don’t get sucked into the belief that you won’t be able to operate at your best if you don’t outfit your interior with a plethora of ergonomic tools. In truth, a simple to use office chair and articulating keyboard tray will get you started on the right foot. Over time (when you’ve analyzed your personal areas of discomfort) consider investing in additional ergonomic tools to help further improve life in the office. That’s what ergonomics is all about!
2.) The Chair Is Only As Good As The Owner
Even the most is expensive office chair won’t make you comfortable if you don’t commit to mastering it’s features and incorporating good posture habits. To make a long story short, the office chair is only as good as it’s owner. Investing thousands of dollars into high end seating is all for nothing if you aren’t willing to address poor sitting habits. When your new chair arrives, read the manual thoroughly and store it in a safe place. Commit your chair adjustment features and operations to memory so that you’re ready to adapt to the specific needs of any situation. When all else fails, remember this simple point; I can’t take a set it and forget it approach if I want to be comfortable. You have to be willing to adjust your chair to get the most out of it!
3.) Good Posture Is Free
Let’s be clear, a quality task chair will definitely help you maintain good posture. That being said, the basics are free. You don’t need a fancy chair to incorporate the foundations of a quality sit. In fact, studies have shown that placing a list of basic posture reminders within eyesight of your computer screen will yield big results regardless of your chair and surrounding accessories. Here’s a few to get you started…
- Keep Your Back In Contact With The Chair At All Times
- Keep Your Feet Planted Flat On The Ground And Facing Forwards
- Avoid Looking Down When Typing
- Keep Computer Screen At Eye Level
- Don’t Slouch
4.) Extended Sits Can Shorten Your Life Span
It’s an inconvenient truth, but you need to know it! Sitting for long periods of time can actually shorten your life span. Don’t grind through your work day without standing up. Make it a point to stand up at least once an hour. Stretch out your muscles and drink lot’s of water to stay hydrated. While simple, these basic pointers often go unused by workers in a rush. The long term affects of extended sits should not be overlooked!
5.) Breaks Are A Must
Even if you’ve integrated and mastered every ergonomic product on the market, you still need to take short breaks. Regardless of your high tech accessories, fatigue will begin to play a role in your work day if you don’t take short breaks. Blood flow is limited when sitting. This causes muscles to stiffen. When muscles are tight, fatigue and pain strike. Taking short breaks will help you fight back. Each time you break, you’ll return to your ergonomic workstation refreshed and ready to get back down to business. Breaks will help you avoid those groggy hours of the work day while simultaneously improving task oriented efficiency.
Source: Office Furniture Love from Around the World! – 5 Things You Don’t Know About Workplace Ergonomics
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