Are you trying to make sure you’re working as healthy as possible? Read this article to learn more about how to create an ergonoic office at home.
Back pain? Muscle fatigue? Bad posture?
It might not be you. It might be your home office. These are all symptoms you can experience if you have bad posture while working.
Putting together an ergonomic office can help alleviate pain and prevent long term health problems.
So what goes into a good ergonomic office? Make sure you follow these guidelines.
You Don’t Have to Buy New Stuff
Most likely, you can adjust your home office, so it’s more ergonomic without buying a fancy new chair or an expensive standing desk.
Proper ergonomics is about making sure your joints are comfortable while you’re working.
We’ll go into the exact balances you need, but first, see what you have around the house that could help keep these positions more natural while you work. Consider an old shoebox to keep your feet planted firmly, or a rolled towel to give your wrists something to rest on.
It doesn’t have to be fancy. It just has to work.
Focus on Your Primary Task
Depending on your job, your at-home office will rely on different factors. You may have to do a lot of typing or drawing with a mouse or stylus. You may have to read a lot of physical paper.
Whatever you do, make sure the system you set up is ergonomically correct for your primary task.
Head and Neck
Keep your head and neck in a straight position. Laptops are great for short periods, but if you’re going to be doing a lot of work, try to get an external monitor or keyboard.
Hands and Wrists
Avoid hinging at the wrist. When you lay your hands on the keyboard, they should be straight, like your neck and head. You want them to be practically flush with the surface beneath them.
Back Support
You should sit slightly leaning back, with lower back support. If you don’t have a fancy office chair, you can usually compensate with a pillow or even a rolled-up towel.
Try to keep your feet on a firm surface beneath you, and avoid crossing your legs.
If, after a few weeks of working in your new office, you’re still experiencing pain, it might be your bed instead. Consider the best mattress for back pain and see if that helps.
Putting Together an Ergonomic Office Doesn’t Have to be Hard
An ergonomic office makes sure your body sits at proper resting points. It keeps your joints straight and properly supported.
Make sure you have the right lighting and that your desk is set up for your specific body.
Make sure you’re practicing other good office health tips too. Look away from your computer screen for at least thirty seconds twice an hour, and stand up or walk every hour.
We can help you design the best home environment possible. Keep checking back for more great tips.
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