We’ve all had to make some adjustments as we made the switch to telecommuting, but you shouldn’t have to risk your comfort when you’re working from home.
Have you noticed an increase in lower back pain now that you’re working from home? Do your neck or shoulders feel more tense? If so, you are like most other Americans who are adapting to working from home.
If you were lucky, your in-office chair was designed for comfort and long-term sitting. Few of us got to take those chairs home, however. Many of us made the transition to home computers and monitors, but, the quick fix for our chair, was to use whatever was available. After all, how long could this last, right?
Now for the cold, hard reality…..How many are reading this from a wood chair seat, kitchen chair, couch, or even your bed? These places may nice to sit and relax when you’re watching a movie or eating dinner, but they’re not the best place to sit for a day at work.
Consider us your guide to the world of work-from-home comfort. We’re going to talk about what could be causing your discomfort, tips for finding the right office chair, and how you can make your workday more comfortable.
The Trouble With Sitting
If you work an office job you may think that you don’t have any work-related health risks to worry about. You’re rarely on your feet and never have to lift heavy objects, so what is there to worry about health-wise?
Sitting for long periods of time may be more problematic than you’d think. Research has shown that people that are inactive for long periods of time are more prone to medical problems including obesity, deep-vein thrombosis, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and other chronic health conditions. On a more short-term basis, prolonged sitting can also cause chronic muscle discomfort and imbalances, and that’s especially true if you aren’t sitting the right way.
Scientists are still trying to figure out the link between inactivity, sitting, and medical problems. Some office managers have been aware of the risks of inactivity for a while, and the modern office has evolved to try to make things as physically comfortable as possible for workers.
Office ergonomics takes your job and work environment into account to create the most comfortable set up for workers. Many office managers have chosen to use ergonomic equipment in their office space like proper chairs, desks, and stands to keep people comfortable at work.
Many people were able to take the necessary equipment home to work, but few were able to take their desks and chairs home. A lack of proper work equipment may be why you’re experiencing so many aches and pains.
Proper Sitting 101
Before we get into picking out office chairs, we should spend some time talking about the importance of proper posture when you’re sitting for work.
Your posture is very important. It may be true that your office chair needs an upgrade, but simply adjusting the way you sit can do wonders for some of the back, shoulder, and neck pain you experience.
First and foremost, when you sit down for a day at work make sure you ask yourself these 3 important questions:
- Is everything I need to work within arm’s reach?
- Are my eyes in line with the areas of the screen I need to focus on the most to work?
- Are my hands and wrists able to sit comfortably on my keyboard?
If you’re able to answer “yes” to those 3 important questions you’re on your way to being set up for a comfortable day at work!
Now that you know the basics of proper sitting, let’s focus on how other parts of your body should be positioned for maximum comfort.
Back
You may have been scolded when you were younger about how slouching is rude, but the true damage in slouching comes from what it can do to your back.
When you slouch you put more stress on your spine which can cause considerable discomfort. Long term slouching can even have serious side effects like long term lower back pain, sprains, spasms, and even disc herniation.
If you want to avoid spinal stress do your best to sit upright. Make sure your upper back is straight and that your lower back can easily curve to the shape of your chair.
If you don’t have a chair with proper spinal support we recommend using a cushion for added comfort and extra support for the lumbar region of your back. Having a properly supported lower back can relieve a lot of pain and tension you feel in your back, shoulders, and arms.
Arms
When you’re sitting down your arms are probably the last thing on your mind, but arms play a surprisingly important role in proper posture. Moving and positioning your arms also affect your shoulders, and your shoulders play an important role in overall posture.
When your arms are stretched forward you can lose considerable strength in your upper back. If they aren’t placed properly you could be giving yourself upper back and shoulder pain.
You can avoid some of this discomfort by keeping your arms at a 90-degree angle when you’re in a comfortable resting position. Having a chair with armrests can help you reach this angle with ease.
Legs and Feet
Sitting in one place is problematic enough, but truly sitting in any position for a long amount of time can have its own issues.
Do you like to sit with your legs crossed or with one leg tucked under the other? It may be comfortable for now, but that can seriously decrease blood flow throughout the body. That can lead to numbness and general discomfort.
The best way to sit is with your knees bent at a 90-degree angle from your body and your feet firmly on the ground. If your seat is high off the ground consider investing in a footrest to keep your feet flat.
How to Choose a Great Chair for Telecommuting
We’re experts in cushion and seating, and we know just what you need to sit in comfort while you work. Clearly, our cushions can improve any sitting situation you’re in. They’re much less expensive than office chairs, and they have the benefit of being able to travel wherever you go.
Despite loving our cushion you may still be looking for the right chair to add to your office. It’s important to keep personal preference in mind when you’re shopping, but there are still some qualities everyone should look for when they’re shopping for a work chair.
Always Value Adjustability
It would be great if there was a company that could manufacture the perfect chair for everyone, but unfortunately, that may be too big of an ask. Since everyone has their own preferences when it comes to physical comfort, it’s best to find an office chair you can easily adjust.
Always go for a chair you can adjust the height of. A pneumatic adjustment lever can let you lower the seat or bring it higher up. This feature will be very helpful if you have an adjustable desk or if you need to change work stations.
An adjustable backrest can help ensure that you work in comfort and should be able to easily move forward or backward. Make sure that any adjustable back comes with a locking mechanism so you don’t suddenly tip backward.
For extra comfort, consider a chair with adjustable armrests. This can help a lot with neck and shoulder pain and can make typing more comfortable.
Go for a Breathable Covering
Leather chairs can look great in nice conference rooms, but they aren’t the best chairs for long term sitting. Leather isn’t a breathable fabric, and sitting on it for a long time may not be comfortable.
Fabric is always a good option for breathable fabric. Cotton with anti-droplet and anti-bacteria technology can help you stay comfortable and clean at work.
Find the Right Padding
Padding can help make your chair more comfortable, but sometimes it’s possible to have too much of a good thing.
Padding that’s too soft can be just as damaging as hard surfaces. The uneven nature of the padding can leave your spine and posture out of alignment, and that can cause problems over time.
Try to find padding that’s soft but has the right amount of firmness to it. Something that feels bouncy and soft but still relatively firm is a good cushion for long term sitting.
Wood Chair Seat vs Cushion Seat: What's Best?
Everyone has their own preference when it comes to seating comfort. Some people may prefer a hard seat and others may like cushions. If you’re going to be sitting for a while, it’s always good to have a little cushion to help with posture and comfort.
A wooden seat can start to hurt your back after a long day of work. That hard surface will be pushing up against your coccyx with very little padding. That’s a lot of pressure to put on one part of the body!
It isn’t uncommon for some people to develop issues from sitting improperly on uncomfortable surfaces for long. Nerve damage, chronic back pain, and even sciatica aren’t uncommon in long term office workers.
That’s why we’ll always recommend using a cushion at work. They’re an easy way to give your body the support it needs, and finding the right economic cushion has even more health benefits than you can imagine.
Ultimate Work Comfort: Our Quick Tips
As you can see, the way you sit can drastically affect your overall comfort when you’re at work. Proper posture and having the right equipment is important, but they aren’t the only things that could help make your workday more comfortable.
If you want to stay healthy and comfortable when you’re going through your workday, consider following these tips.
Move Around
You may assume that you’d naturally move around more when you’re working remotely, but sometimes the opposite is true. When you don’t have to change rooms to go to meetings or take a mandatory lunch you can easily sit for hours at a time and barely notice.
When we talk about moving around, we don’t mean fidgeting to get more comfortable. We recommend that everyone takes a short 5-minute break to move around once each hour.
If you don’t feel comfortable taking a walk outside, you can easily take your move break inside your home. Take those five minutes to change a load of laundry or wash a few dishes. You’ll be able to move and tackle some chores at the same time!
Rest Your Eyes
Staring at a screen for most of the day can be more tiring than you’d think. Eye strain is a real problem for office workers and too much screen time could lead you to get headaches or dry eyes.
Follow the 20/20/20 rule for eyes if you want to prevent strain during the workday. After every 20 minutes of continuous screentime at work, follow it up by resting your eyes by closing them for 20 seconds.
After you’ve had your 20-second break, take a moment to focus on an object that’s about 20 feet away from you. Looking at something far away even just for a second can vary your focus.
Consider a Different Desk
Do you want to take your work station to the next level? If you want to avoid sitting for long periods of time and to stay more active, consider getting an adjustable standing desk.
A desk that allows you to work in a standing or sitting position is great for people that are concerned about comfort at work. You can adjust your desk to fit your mood and comfort level with ease.
If you choose to go down the standing desk route, consider switching things up every 30 minutes to an hour. Some people may prefer to stand or sit more, but it’s entirely up to you how you want to manage your workday. Keep in mind that changing positions is key since standing all day isn’t the answer either. So, even if you choose to stand, make sure you have a comfortable chair to sit in when you need it.
Create Your New Comfortable Workspace Today
It’s time to say goodbye to your wood chair seat, lumpy sofa, and old office chair and find your best sitting solution.
Our cushions have helped countless people make their workdays more comfortable. Whether you’re sitting at a desk, driving a car or truck, or relaxing on the couch, our cushion helps you attain the best way to sit.
Don’t spend another day working in discomfort. Browse our products so you can find the perfect cushion for your comfort needs. And remember, if you have any questions reach out to us so we can help!