Choosing the Right Ergonomic Office Chair Will Reduce Fatigue and Strain: What You Need to Know
I’ve worked from home for many years. In that time, the single best investment I made was buying my ergonomic office chair. It was quick, easy, cheap, and most importantly, it has made all the difference in the world in my work-at-home experience.
Imagine spending a long airplane ride sitting on an uncomfortable bar stool. By the end of the trip you’re tired, your back is killing you and all you want to do is go lie down on your favorite couch. Doesn’t sound fun, does it?
Well the fact is, most people who work-at-home spend a lot longer sitting in a chair they don’t really like, and they do it day after day. But the difference between the airline seat and the office chair is obvious: you get to pick your own office chair. Imagine if you could spend all day in a seat you love. I mean one you really love.
Ergonomic chairs are designed to make your work life more comfortable. They are made to support your back, let you move around easier and generally make your work life more enjoyable. The perfect ergonomic lets you work without ever realizing you are sitting down. Your legs don’t hurt, your back doesn’t hurt and you never have to worry about getting wrist strain. You can work longer in a good ergonomic chair, and the time you spend working will be a lot more productive.
If I’ve learned one thing in my years working at home, it’s this: your chair is your throne. The single most important decision you can make when you work at home is selecting a good office chair. The right chair is your key to home office happiness.
- Adjust your chair first so that when you sit at your desk you’re not reaching up or down. By having your arms and wrists level it reduces strain and goes a long ways towards preventing symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.
- It should also be adjusted to where your feet are firmly on the floor. Being able to sit comfortably, with your hands on the desk and legs roughly parallel to the floor reduces physical strain. Get a chair with lower back support, adjusted so your back is firmly against this support.
- Sitting in an improperly adjusted chair for a half day can result in shoulder or arm strain, tired legs, an achy back, neck tension and headaches. To have a productive day at the office you must be able to focus on work, not on alleviating pain from an ill-adjusted chair. With a good chair you don’t have this problem.
- Look at the center of your monitor – you should be able to do this looking straight forward. Looking off to one side increases strain on your neck and difficulties in seeing the screen increases eye strain.
- Once your chair is adjusted then adjust your keyboard tray in line with the monitor. Lower the keyboard tray nearly to your lap with arms and shoulders in a comfortable position, supported by the arm rests on your chair. If you need to adjust the tray so that the closest edge to you is slightly higher then the other side of the keyboard do so…making sure that your wrists are straight, not bent up or down.
- Don’t overlook things like the armrests, size of chair, seat tilt, wheels and material. While cloth will take periodic cleaning if you live in a warm part of the country vinyl or other material might be very uncomfortable. A seat space that is not too large or small is ideal, with enough padding that is comfortable to sit in. Find one of a fabric that you like.
- While the color is the last thing to look at, in view of health and comfort, some places allow for a variety of colors. Make sure your chair is ANSI/BIFMA compliant for safety. Get a good chair and a properly sized desk. Many things in your office you can make do with substitutes but this is one area to not compromise on.
The selection of ergonomically designed furniture is important for all, whether you work from home or at an office.
The range of ergonomic chairs out there is immense, and you need to be able to find one that is designed to not only be comfortable, but stylish, beautiful and tailored for your specific needs. CSNChairs.com is the perfect place to buy your chair because they’ve already done all the work for you. Whether you want leather, fabric or something else, you can find the right kind of chair for you and your budget. Not only that, but they guarantee customer satisfaction, offer significant savings, and have the best range of products around.