6 Ergonomic Tips for Your Office Workstations
Many people spend a significant part of their day sitting down at a computer. Although it’s common to have a sedentary lifestyle at the office, the position of the workstation and the computer can lead to different health effects over time. When you want to improve the comfort of your workstation, there are a few ergonomic tips to implement.
1. Use a Keyboard Tray
To avoid developing carpal tunnel syndrome, it’s important that your wrists are at the right height as you type throughout the day. Use a keyboard tray, which will make your forearms parallel to the floor and will allow your elbows to dangle. The tray will prevent too much space from being used while allowing your arms to be at a healthy ergonomic position. It’s also important to use a mouse platform that is connected to the tray.
The keyboard should have a negative tilt that is down and away from you. Avoid using the kickstand underneath the keyboard.
2. Position Your Screens
Many people develop neck pain because they begin to strain their neck to view their computer screen. Sit back and extend your arm to determine where to place the screen. It should fit at the end of your fingertips. Tilt the monitor slightly down to avoid reflections. Your eyes should also land on the address bar after you adjust the height.
3. Get Good Lumbar Support
It’s important to use ergonomic commercial office furniture that prevents strain on the body. Find a chair that has good lumbar support to ensure that your vertebrae can continue to be slightly curved with the tailbone sticking out. When you sit, your feet should be resting on the floor and not dangling. If you’re shorter, use a footrest to avoid putting extra strain on your back. There should also be a space between the edge of the chair and the back of your knees.
4. Raise the Work Surface
Purchase office furniture that can be adjusted to accommodate your height. You’ll need to adjust your work surface if you’re tall and if there’s at least a finger width between your thigh and chair. Sitting at a taller desk throughout the day will allow you to sit comfortably once increasing the height of your chair. Increasing the height of your workstation will allow your back to relax more and will prevent strain from being placed on it.
5. Check the Depth of Your Seat
You can avoid suffering from back pain by having the correct depth in your seat. Sit back in the chair and test to see if you can fit your fist in between the front of your chair and your calves. If your fist doesn’t fit, you need to adjust the seat to ensure that you have enough circulation in your legs throughout the day. You may need to insert a pillow or cushion on the backrest or purchase a new chair.
6. Adjust the Armrest
Many people are unaware that their neck and shoulder pain can be directly related to the armrest on their chair. You’ll need to adjust the armrest, so your arms are slightly lifted at the shoulders, which will offer support on the elbows and will take extra pressure off of the shoulders.
If you’re having any of these troubles with your days in the office or want to prevent any future pains, creating an ergonomic workstation might be the change you’re looking for.