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Home office ergonomics: how to work from home without breaking your back Health & wellbeing

This decreases the risk that you might develop leg, foot, or, you guessed it, back pain. Calorie blasting aside, some people like a standing desk because it’s something different, or it gives their back a rest from sitting in a chair all day. However, if you are going to use a standing desk, be aware that it does come with its own ergonomic risks. This break is focused on helping you limit stress on your lower back and spine after being seated at a desk for long periods. Sitting all day can be dangerous to your health, so doing these small stretches can help reduce the negative effects of sitting for so long.

  • However, there are things you can do to improve laptop ergonomics when you work on it for long periods.
  • Get on the road to a significantly higher quality of life by setting up an appointment today.
  • Should your employees need help with adjusting their work stations, they should contact your company’s ergonomics representative or Human Resources department.
  • This article highlights the importance of home office ergonomics and provides seven ergonomic tips for achieving better ergonomics whilst working remotely.
  • Your keyboard and mouse should be positioned so that your wrists are straight and your elbows are close to your sides.

If you continue having problems, you may benefit from contacting your physician or a physical therapist (PT) to help you move better and feel better. Your PT may be able to assess your current home office and make some suggestions for better ergonomics. If you’re working from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there’s a good chance that you were not fully prepared to move your entire office and workspace to your house. Spending a few hours properly assessing your workspace and setting up an ergonomic home office may be necessary to keep you happy—and healthy.

How to Set Up An Ergonomic Workspace at Home

Working at a desk for several hours a day can lead to pains in your body, specifically in your back, neck, arms, and shoulders. If the pain persists, make it a point to visit your doctor as soon as work from home ergonomics possible. Addressing pain quickly may help you recover from injury relatively more quickly. This tip sits at the top of our guide on ergonomics dos and don’ts of working from home for good reason.

But there are still ways to help your body avoid strain with these expert ergonomics tips. “When we work in awkward postures, have repetitive motions, have poor lighting etc., our bodies are forced to adapt, which causes strain on our muscles, joints, eyes and body as a whole,” says Dorsey. Work-related MSDs can be prevented with the proper use of ergonomics, the practice of fitting a workspace to the individual.

Display Screen Equipment (DSE)

If you work in a way that allows you to reach out and ‘shake hands’ with your work, it’ll be easier to maintain that neutral posture, and minimise excessive reach. Discover the benefits and key features to consider when selecting a video conferencing monitor, making your decision-making process a breeze. The Pew Research Center also reports that out of the people forced to work from home because of the pandemic, 54% said they would like to work from home even when the outbreak ends. Adding socialization to the day can help with the natural responses our bodies have to stimulation and conversation.

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