Ergonomics is the key to a healthy work environment. It can help your health, productivity, and career advancement. If you frequently experience discomfort while working, it is time to make some changes to add more pleasure to your day.
Working long hours at an old desk is especially stressful if you are trying to meet a deadline. It may lead to the emergence of health problems over time. Fortunately, numerous DIY guides list appliances, stand up desk frame types, and other equipment that will allow you to maximize the potential of your workspace. Are you ready to advance your workstation?
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How Can I Make My Desk More Comfortable?
The growing popularity of ergonomic solutions is primarily due to an increase in the symptoms associated with prolonged working and poor workstation design. For example:
- Musculoskeletal disorders;
- Cardiovascular and circulatory problems;
- Weight gain issues;
- Neck and shoulder pains;
- Low back disorders, etc.
All of these symptoms reduce employee’s performance and lead to a decrease in job satisfaction. If you enjoy your job and want to do it without causing harm to your body and health, follow these steps:
1. Desk
Standard desk heights are either too high or too low for the majority of users. As a result, people adjust their bodies to the work environment rather than vice versa.
How do you choose the best desk height? Here is what you should do (when choosing a traditional desk):
- Sit with your feet on the ground and your shoulders relaxed;
- Bend your arms and place them on the desktop;
- If they form a 90-degree angle, the desk was chosen correctly. If not, consider another option.
Here is what you should do (when choosing a standing desk):
- Stand still with your shoulders relaxed.
- Bend your arms to form a 90-degree angle.
That is the ideal desktop height to look for in a desk. Fortunately, the desk construction industry provides a variety of solutions, including traditional desks and workstations with a height-adjustment function.
The only disadvantage of such desks is their high cost. You can update your old desk yourself if you enjoy building things with your hands. To do so, you will need to update your desktop, purchase a desk frame with adjustable legs, connect them, and find the ideal position to support your body.
2. Monitor Support
After you have properly supported your back, it is time to focus on your eyes. Specifically, the angle at which your eyes look at the monitor.
If it is lower than the norm (45-degree angle), you will unintentionally adjust your back, undoing the preceding effort. As a result, make certain that you work properly on the computer.
If you use two monitors, you should also know how to position them properly to gain an advantage and improve productivity. You should place the main monitor directly in front of you.
The second monitor should be placed slightly behind it at the same height level. It should be noted that using two monitors hurts your eyes and can cause strain and musculoskeletal issues. Take regular breaks to allow your eyes to relax to lessen the intensity of this influence.
3. Keyboard
Do you know how to use a keyboard correctly? The best place for this computer equipment is in your lap. You should keep it and the mouse closer to your body, allowing your shoulders to relax and your wrists to be properly supported. If your keyboard is on the desktop, you should consider purchasing palm support.
4. Mouse
A mouse can also impact on your working performance and hand comfort. You should invest in a mouse with integrated palm support to improve this. Such devices eliminate the need to anchor your wrists to the desk and allow you to keep them straight.
5. Lighting
Poor lighting can not only undo all of your hard work in a minute, but it can also harm your eyes. Even if your desk is near a window, proper lighting is essential because it reduces eye fatigue, eyestrain, light sensitivity, headaches, and blurred vision.
Furthermore, the age of a person who works at a desk affects lighting requirements. The ability to control the brightness of the lighting allows an employee to adjust its levels based on his specific needs. You can accomplish this by incorporating a smart light bulb or smart lighting system that can be managed via an app on your phone and allows you to select the most comfortable light temperature.
Workplaces are designed to provide comfort and proper working conditions that encourage employees to perform tasks more efficiently. Overworking, on the other hand, is a common problem among young specialists. As a result, their health is impacted by a variety of factors, which may result in health issues and paid leave. That is why equipping a workstation with the most ergonomic solutions is critical for both home and office work areas.