If a good third of your day is spent sitting at a desk, you probably feel the need to get up and move around often. If your chair is especially uncomfortable and hard on your back, you certainly cannot be blamed for an extra break or two to keep the blood circulating. Eight hours a day in front of a computer, or merely at a desk with paperwork, is enough to wreak havoc on your posture and bring on more aches than you need. If you have the opportunity, you should choose furniture that is functional and ergonomic. Comfortable work furniture not only keeps you healthy on the job, but can increase productivity.
Once you decide it’s time to get a new chair, desk, or other piece of furniture in your office, you must determine what models are right for you. The chair you’ll sit on for eight hours must support your back and sit bones and help prevent you from hunching over your work. Some stores sell an unusual type of backless chair in which your knees rest on a pad while you work. Whether or not this type of chair is right for you can only be determined by you, and you may wish to give such a chair a test before committing to purchase. Otherwise, you can shop for ergonomic-style chairs via the internet or office furniture stores. Mesh backs, high armrests, and adjustable height are just three features one might find.
Other ergonomic items to consider:
- Raised platforms for computer monitors. If your monitors are set on a desk that is low, this will cause you to look down constantly to see your work. In turn, you’ll tend to hunch over and eventually experience back pain.
- Wrist rests or ergonomic keyboards. If you took a typing class back in high school, you probably heard over and over again that you shouldn’t have your arms on the desk as you type. Of course, many of us do it anyway, and this could lead to minor aches. Special keyboards or raised rests may help you work more ergonomically.
Making a few changes to the way you sit at work can have a positive effect on your output. Ergonomic furniture designed to help straighten your posture and improve your productivity is a worthwhile investment. If you can speak to a supervisor about changing up the furniture in your office, you give them the opportunity to see improvement.
