One of the most important parts of your body is the spine. It will get hurt if you remain seated for prolonged hours in the same position. Most of us do not pay attention to posture and sit for long hours at the desk. If you are working in a traditional work environment, correcting the posture can be difficult. It is hard to keep the spine in the right position with a low desk and improperly designed chairs. The desks are either too low or too high. This is where an ergonomic office makes all the difference. It will give the right support to your spine and will keep your posture right. It will also keep the natural curves in shape.
Top reasons why an ergonomic office is ideal for the spine and for work:
Reduces pain
If you remain seated in the same posture for extended hours, you need to pay attention to your spine. Keeping your shoulders forward or hunching on the keyboard is a huge posture mistake that all of us have committed in our lives. However, in an ergonomic office, it is possible to avoid this problem with ease. All you need to do is use an ergonomic chair that will allow you to make minor adjustments and correct the sitting position. This will help alleviate the pain.
Ensure you sit for a lesser duration
You may have heard that sitting is the new smoking and it can create similar health problems. So if you have a habit of sitting for more than nine hours a day when working, you will have a high probability of suffering from health issues associated with chronic sitting. A workday can turn you into a chronic sitter. Hence, it is best to take a short break and take a quick walk to ensure that your muscles remain healthy and active. The ergonomic office will ensure you sit less. Hence, it is best to get a standing desk where you can stand or sit while you work. It is best to avoid long hours of sitting to stay away from major health conditions.
Exercise while you work
Working in an ergonomic office will ensure high productivity at all times. It can become tiring to work for long office hours and fatigue is common post-lunch break. But, in an ergonomic office, you can perform desk stretches or exercises when working. There are some simple and easy-to-do desk exercises that will go a long way. Even light stretching can be beneficial to a great extent.
Increase in productivity
If you are feeling fit and healthy, it will boost your energy level. This will help you focus more on work, enhance the productivity level and improve creativity. Pain can lead to work loss but an ergonomic office will take care of the health and improve your working capacity.
Reduces the risk of diseases
You can improve your posture and boost health with an ergonomic office. A lot of us face health problems created due to long hours of sitting in the same position. These problems can be reduced by transitioning to an ergonomic workspace. You will notice fewer headaches and less strain on the eyes. In addition, you will also have a better and healthier posture and fewer instances of back pain. It will reduce obesity risk and will allow you to live happier and better. There are several reasons to move from a traditional working environment to an ergonomic office space.
Steps to set an ergonomic office
Now that you have understood the importance of an ergonomic office, we have a few easy steps to help you set it up.
Pick the right type of chair
Remember to buy an ergonomic chair so that you can sit comfortably for long hours. The chair is designed to keep your feet comfortably flat on the floor and you must have a 90-degree angle at the knees. It is best to sit as far back as possible and use the backrest of your chair. It will also have lumbar support to protect the natural curves in your spine. You must remember to check the chair’s depth, material, and armrests.
Check the height of the desk
The height of your desk is crucial in enhancing your posture. Whether you are standing or sitting, you need to keep the height at an elbow’s height. This will avoid pain on the wrist.
Try a standing desk
You can consider using a height-adjustable standing desk. It will take some time for you to get used to it but will enhance your health significantly. The desk has the option of height adjustability and will enhance your performance at work.
Set the monitor properly
Always ensure that the monitor is at a distance of an arm’s length. This will ensure that you do not need to look up or down when working. The screen must fall at eye level so it will eliminate the frequency of tilting your head.
With regard to an ergonomic office, there are several things you need to keep in mind. Keep these basic principles at focus when organizing your office. Without taking the right steps, you will not be able to correct the posture while working. The pressure and stress at work can make you forget things and this is why an ergonomic office is important. With the right technology, it is possible to correct the posture over time. Investing in an ergonomic chair and the right type of height adjustable desk will go a long way. Additionally, remember to perform the desk stretches or basic exercises whenever you can.
You may not get used to a height-adjustable desk right away so do not push yourself too much. Make the transition gradually and ensure that you are comfortable with standing while you work. Remember, the right posture will add years to your life.