From office to work from your home, it’s no surprise that you may be feeling it on your body. In this article we explain the ergonomics and what to aim for with your home office, so that you can be as productive as when you worked in an office environment. This will also help you to take care of your body and mind.
What is it?
As per the Oxford Dictionary, Ergonomics is the study of people’s efficiency in their working environment.
How can we improve the ergonomics in our home office?
Invest in a proper chair
Without an office it may be hard to find a space in your home to put a desk and a chair, but if you can this is ideal. If you, however, cannot fit both into your space opt for the office chair at least as this can still be pulled to your dining room table as a work space.
A proper chair can be pricey but it is an investment in your back health and will save you plenty of pain and money in the long. A good chair will also help avoid you from visiting the physiotherapist and chiropractor. An ergonomic chair can also help to improve productivity and help with job satisfaction, allowing you to enjoy working from home!
Get some exercise
Sitting all day in various places and positions whilst being stagnant can have a seriously negative impact on your body. So, focus on getting some daily stretching exercises incorporated to your daily routine. Your body will thank you! You may also not realise how little movement you are getting now that you are working from home. At the office you may have been climbing a flight of stairs or even walking to the coffee stand a few times a day. This is why exercising at home is vital for your body to remain in tip top shape and form.
How about a standing desk?
It may seem like a foreign concept, but a standing desk has a lot of benefits that you may not even have realised.
- Standing Lowers Your Risk of Weight Gain and Obesity.
- Using a Standing Desk May Lower Blood Sugar Levels.
- Standing May Lower Your Risk of Heart Disease.
- Standing Desks Appear to Reduce Back Pain.
- Standing Desks Help Improve Mood and Energy Levels.
It is important to wear comfortable and supportive shoes when using a standing desk. This will help to properly support the frame of your body.
Set Boundaries and keep a working Routine
It is so easy to slip up and start to work later in the day and work until late at night. That is why it is really important to maintain a working routine and set boundaries. Set a work start and finish time, so that you can spend time relaxing and preparing for the next day.
After applying these basics, you should be able to realise a happier and healthier self in your home work environment.
