Top 5 Things You Need for a More Ergonomic Home Office
Whether you work from home full-time or just want your current home office to be a little more comfortable, making the switch to an ergonomic home office can be great for both your health and your productivity. An ergonomic product is something that has been designed to maximize its user's efficiency and wellness. Although a wide variety of ergonomic products exist today, their effectiveness varies from person to person based on each user's needs and preferences. Keep reading to learn more about what types of products might help improve your comfort and productivity by creating an ergonomic home office.
Laptop Stands
Did you know that sitting down at a desk and staring down at a laptop can cause your body to unconsciously begin to hunch downward? This bending and hunching downward can cause you to develop poor posture and lead to neck and back pain, which can not only pose health risks but can also lead to decreased productivity. To stop this from happening, laptop stands are ergonomically designed to promote good posture by forcing users to sit up straight and stare ahead, not down, in order to look at their computers.
A laptop stand like the MeFee adjustable laptop stand is durable and can be adjusted based on the height of the user. Not only does using a stand to raise a laptop make it easier for users to avoid bending their necks downward while they work, but an open-backed stand can also help laptops vent their excess heat. If you're making the transition to working from home, investing in a laptop stand is a great way to improve your health and make it more comfortable to put in long hours sitting in front of your computer.
Standing Desks
According to doctors, sitting down for long periods of time can be dangerous to your health — medical experts have linked sitting for extended periods of time to health problems including metabolic syndrome and obesity. Additionally, as mentioned above, staring down at a computer can cause neck and back strain, which can lead to poor posture and increased pain. However, choosing a well-designed standing desk can help reduce or even remove some of these medical risks.
Choosing the correct standing desk requires looking for a desk with a proper height and depth for you and your equipment as well as a rounded front to prevent the desk from putting too much pressure on your wrists. This Curved Height Adjustable Corner Standing Desk offers users plenty of depth, a rounded front, and the ability to adjust the height to their comfort level, making it a good choice for anyone looking to establish an ergonomic home office.
Office Chairs
While it's ideal to stand if possible, it's often not realistic to configure an entire ergonomic home office at once, and some workers simply prefer to work while remaining seated. In such cases, ergonomic office chairs are a good option. A strong ergonomic office chair will offer its user plenty of lumbar or lower back support, breathability, and the ability to control its height, tilt, and depth. Overall, it should be comfortable enough for a full day's work while still offering strong support.
Finding a good ergonomic office chair is relatively easy, as they've become increasingly popular over the past several years. Office Star's ProGrid High Back Managers Chair is one such popular choice that boasts a breathable mesh back and the ability to slide, angle, and tilt the chair in order to offer full ergonomic support. Regardless of your choice, an ergonomic office chair is a comfortable tool that can help improve the way you work — and the way you feel — in your home office.
Seat Cushions
If you don't have an ergonomic office chair, settle for the next best thing by investing in a high-quality seat cushion. Although it may not look like a high-powered addition to your office, a seat cushion can help improve your posture in addition to making sitting more comfortable, thus helping alleviate lower back pain. Much like mattresses, the selection of a seat cushion is based on a given user's preferences, which means that some workers may prefer a firm cushion while others may prefer plush.
Seat cushions also come in a variety of styles and materials. The FOMI Premium All Gel Orthopedic Seat Cushion uses its gel material to stay firm and its structure to increase air circulation, while memory foam and plush cushions may offer a different feel or experience. Regardless of what textures you prefer, investing in a seat cushion that helps reduce pain and keeps you feeling good throughout the workday can have a positive impact on your health and productivity.
Mouse Pads
Anyone who spends the majority of their day sitting down at a desk and typing is subjecting themselves to the possibility of developing Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSI), which occur when users overstretch their hands and fingers and strain their wrists. To prevent injury, an ergonomic mouse pad should be used; this tool can help relieve pressure on your wrists, hands, arms, and shoulders by allowing the wrist to rest in a neutral position.
A good ergonomic mouse pad like this Ergonomic Memory Foam Mouse Pad includes a supportive pad that allows wrists to function in a neutral position, keeping them from bending too far back or to the side. It also provides a comfortable, breathable place for your wrist to rest in between tasks, and the memory foam prevents your wrist from creating an indentation and reducing its effectiveness. Adding an ergonomic mouse pad to your home office is a small change that can have an enormous impact on your health and well-being.
Key Takeaways
If you're interested in improving the ergonomics of your home office for increased comfort and productivity, there are a variety of products that can help. From laptop stands to standing desks, ergonomic home office products can make working from home a comfortable, painless, and efficient work experience. To find more ergonomic products that can help bring your home office to the next level as well as great deals, discounts, and more, don't forget to check out ProductIQ!
