The most common way to upgrade your work-flow is upgrading systems. Electronic systems. But what about our increasingly tenuous physical systems?
We buy the latest version of apps and tools, find new ones that integrate calendars, and the list goes on but have you ever thought about upgrading your office work space? When we are comfortable in our work environment we give ourselves proper oxygen flow, eliminate distractions, and flow through the mountain of work more efficiently.
You might be one of the lucky ones and work for a company that is concerned with ergonomics in the work space. If not, take these steps to have a healthy work flow and increase performance.
- Adjust your posture. Take note of your seat and adjust the height according to your needs. The ideal position is having your knee to your ankles in a 90° angle. Imagine your head is being held up by a string. Align your body ensuring the weight is evenly distributed on both sides, feet on the floor. We tried Bhoga’s Got Your Back that keep your spine supported all day long. Reduce slouching, discomfort, and compression with this dome-like cushion.
- Change your desk setup. Your keyboard and mouse should be one to two inches above your thighs. The setup should allow for 90° angle from your elbows to your fingertips while typing. Position your screen so that it is comfortable for you to see, you don’t want to strain your neck or disrupt alignment by leaning forward. The address bar should be at eye level in your natural upright posture.
- Get creative. In some cases your desk and chair will not support you in proper posture alignment. Use a seat cushion if you need more length under your feet or prop your computer up with a few books to get the address bar at eye level. Mentioned in #1, Got Your Back is another way to make sure whatever chair you are using is giving you proper support, whether you need it for your lower back, mid back, or shoulder area.
- Take movement breaks. The only real way to combat the health issues from prolonged sitting is moving. Set reminders for mini-breaks whether it is taking a short walk around the office or just lifting your eyes from the screen to reduce headaches and stress on the eyes
- Body check-ins. This should be done as often as you can remember. Just scan your body from head to toe and see where you can loosen up or increase comfort. Every body type has different needs for support. When you check in with your body often it can pull you out of the stressful moments that can happen at work. It also allows you to remember to remain relaxed, keep oxygen flowing, and stay flexible.
These are just a few ways to create an ergonomic office space that will support your body’s needs and wants during the work day. When you create a work environment that caters to you, your body will thank you. You will feel the difference and so will your workload.
- The Self-Care Holiday Gift Guide We All Deserve - November 24, 2022
- 16 Ways to Increase & Channel Your Vibration Through Water - January 18, 2017
- Ergonomic Must-Dos: 5 Steps For A Healthy Work Flow - January 17, 2017