Office Life: Taking Ergonomics Seriously

It can be hard to take ergonomics serious in the workplace. These days, ever product on the market seems to bear the ergonomic label. Never the less, being ergonomically correct is a big deal. If you want to operate comfortably and at peak performance levels in the workplace, you'll need to take ergonomics seriously. In today's Office Life article we'll highlight ways that you can become more ergonomically efficient. Take control of your work day with the tips provided here!

We all know that ergonomics is important. That being said, we often struggle with bad habits that keep us from being at our best. The biggest ergo killer in the workplace is bad posture. Sitting incorrectly in your office chair will make you susceptible to back pain and major health issues. If you truly want to solve the posture epidemic, you can't be afraid to regularly adjust your office chair.

Most ergonomic specialists will tell you to adjust your chair multiple times throughout the day to meet the demands of any specific task. Need to turn on your computer, don't bend over and strain yourself to do it. Simply lower your chair height! Getting something out of your overhead hutch? Don't over extend to get it. Raise your chair seat to make it more accessible.

There are other key adjustments that must be mastered if you want to improve posture and take ergonomics seriously. First and foremost, don't slouch in your chair or hunch over your keyboard tray to type. When seated, keep you back in contact with the chair at all times. This may require multiple adjustments, but the benefits gained are well worth it. Let's put it this way, you can have the most expensive ergonomic office chair on the planet, but if you lean away from it's primary support center when working, it will provide minimal benefits.

You'll also want to keep your head aligned with your computer screen while working. Avoid looking down at the screen when typing. In most cases, this simple tip will require you to raise your monitor height. You can purchase an articulating monitor arm to make things easy, If funds are tight, use a box or stack of books. It may not look fancy but at least you'll be saving yourself from neck pain and eye strain!

Ever sit with your legs propped up on the base of your office chair? How about with your feet crossed? These are bad habits you need to fix quick. When operating at your desk, be sure to keep your feet facing forward and flat on the ground. This will improve blood flow and reduce fatigue throughout the day. It's also a great way to show you're taking ergonomics seriously!

Last but not least, take the time to get up from your workstation once every hour. As sitting for long periods of time can actually reduce your life space, this is one tip you don't want to skip. Stand up, take a deep breath, and stretch for a minute or two. Walk around and stay loose! Don't allow your muscles to tighten up on you when working. Staring at that computer screen for long hours is certainly no good. Standing up and taking a short break will allow your eyes to readjust properly.

Let's be honest, posture tips are hard to remember when your in the middle of a busy project at work. To help, make a tip chart and place it within eye site of your workstation. Studies have shown that this simple practice yields major results.

Taking ergonomics seriously in the workplace doesn't mean you'll need to invest large sums of money. Most of the best ergonomic office accessories on the market cost around two hundred bucks, and you don't need them all at once.

Start with a good office chair. We recommend the Cherryman Industries iDesk Ambarella chair for shoppers on a budget. It's available now for just $206.50. Next, get your keyboard off the surface of your desk. Purchase an articulating keyboard tray to free up desk space and keep you computing at correct angles. Additional products like a dual screen monitor mount will help you reduce eye strain and the rate at which you compute. Excellent models are available from brands like Global Total Office, ESI, and Symmetry Office. Purchasing ergonomic products one at a time will provide you with the time needed to master each before purchasing another.

In the long run, if you take ergonomics seriously you'll be improving life in the office. You'll be more comfortable. You'll be more productive. You'll be more effective. When combined, these three valuable attributes mean you'll be more happy, and that's what it's all about. Take the time to make ergonomics a priority. You'll be glad you did.