Four New Year’s Resolutions for a Healthier 2022

With the New Year, comes New Year resolutions. A time that may often be overwhelming, however can be one of reflection and rededication to your personal and work life. For those working from home, it is time to prioritise comfort and wellbeing in the home office, and here at ErgoFurniture we can help you get there.

1. I will adjust my chair

The average worker spends up to 8 hours a day sitting at their desk, which can lead to a great deal of strain and pressure on the body, especially when your seating option isn’t used to its full potential. Preferably, your office chair should allow your bones to support your bones – you don’t want your back or neck to pick up any slack that could be prevented by having your feet planted firmly on the ground, and your knees resting slightly lower than your hips. These factors will all help to alleviate pressure on the back for optimum posture support. Every body is unique and different, and therefore adjustability is of utmost importance in a chair. Some things to consider when adjusting your chair to fit your body includes; seat tilt, lumbar support, headrest, backrest height and seat height. Some of these options can usually be found on a 2 lever ergonomic chair, such as the SMesh Office Chair, or more on a 4 lever chair, such as the OMesh Chair. Ergonomic seating is becoming less of a luxury item, and more of a necessity for the user’s overall health and wellbeing.

2. I will adjust my screen

When we can’t adjust the position of our monitors, we adjust ourselves and our posture to the position of our screens. This leads to hunching, the compression of our necks, and for those looking at a screen for most of the day it contributes to eye, neck and back strain. The main things to consider when adjusting your screens are height and distance, and a monitor arm can help you accomplish these factors. Ideally, your screens should be directly in front of your view, with your eyes being in line with the top of your screen. This is so you don’t need to twist or turn your body, even slightly to see the full screen. In terms of distance, your monitors should be placed at the length of your outstretched arm from where you sit, to decrease eye strain as well as allowing you to see the entire screen at once. A monitor stand can help you achieve these two factors, however for further adjustability, ease of use and the option to use more than one screen, a monitor arm or two will come in handy.

3. I will ensure my feet are well supported

When a chair doesn’t allow the user to sit with their feet planted on the floor, the user may sit cross legged or slump which can lead to shoulder distortion, lateral pelvic tilt and forward head posture. A footrest can combat this as it decreases the likelihood of the user being in a static position the entire day. It is important to ensure your feet are well supported by a footrest that suits your body as well as your desk and seating preference. A height adjustable footrest such as the Fundamentals Footrest allows any user to have their feet supported when their desk or chair may not have the adjustability to do so. A rocking footrest, such as the Actifeet tiltable footrest, allows users to keep their lower body active, by moving their feet in a rocking motion whilst seated. Footrests are not only important for support, but they also allow the user to shift their weight throughout the day, encouraging movement, and improved blood flow.

4. I will move my body regularly

Incorporating movement into the work day is extremely important. While the way we work has changed, staying active is essential, and finding little ways to be mobile throughout the day can benefit us immensely. An easy way to start is by utilising an adjustable workstation. Adjustability can be found in your chair, desk, footrest or screens – any way you are able to move and adjust your body during your work day, is a positive. Experts recommend that office workers stand for at least two hours a day, and a sit-stand desk is an easy way to make this happen. When alternating between sitting and standing, it is important to adjust your chair and screens to keep your body supported and blood circulating. Some other ways to incorporate movement into your daily work schedule is to move to a different area when taking a break or make it a habit to take phone calls standing, or moving around the room. Standing doesn’t only benefit you physically, it can also increase productivity, concentration and decrease stress levels.

Customising a home office is unique to each person. However, by making these four resolutions in 2022, you’ll likely start the year with a weight off your shoulders, and an extra spring in your step!