7 Ways to Make Your Office Chair More Comfortable
To those that spend their working week sitting at desks will know that spending long hours in an office chair is not always comfortable. A bad office chair can put a lot of strain on your back, arms, neck and shoulders, leading to severe pain when standing up and straightening the spine. Your job requires you to remain focused, concentrated and fee from distractions. Your productivity levels can quickly drop and overall wellbeing can take a hit.
Choosing the right chair for your body, your workspace and the type of work you do is essential for short and long term health. If you are finding your chair is causing you bother at work then tick of this list of seven helpful tips for improving the comfort it brings you.
- Consider your Wider Workspace
You could have the most expensive, comfortable, ergonomic, supportive seat in the office but if it is incompatible with your desk then it can be a serious health hazard. If you work at a high work surface and your chair is too short then you will be craning your neck and straining your spine. Draughtsman office chairs are perfect for tall desks, offering plenty of adjustments so you can tailor your seat to find your ideal height.
You can also add a footrest or extra back support to your office chair to add that extra comfort. This is a great suggestion if you’ve had your chair for a while and the cushioning isn’t quite what it was when it was brand new.
This does not just apply to your workspace but the nature of your work. For work that has you peering at details on your screen, a kneeling chair can be an excellent choice as this allows you to lean forward comfortably and to help maintain a healthy back. If your work has you sitting for long hours, always make sure the seat itself is spacious with plenty of room for you to move position.
By following tips like these, you should find yourself sitting comfortably as you work. Problems associated with bad posture, such as shoulder and back pain, neck strain, poor circulation, jaw pain and headaches can also be prevented by ensuring you have the right chair for your needs and you’re using it correctly.
- Make it a Swivel Chair
Movement on your chair should be your list of prioritise when it comes to using an office chair. If your current chair does not have wheels then you need to set about adding them or finding a new office chair. If areas of your workspace demands your attention, being unable to easily move to a new location can take bad effects to your body. Struggling for out of reach items can put strain on your arms, shoulders and neck, and twisting in your chair can be seriously disruptive to your spine.
Swivel chairs are ideally suited to multi – tasking roles in an office environment, allowing you to move smoothly from one aspect to another. Also known as ‘Task’ Chairs.
- Customise to Make it Right for you
Everyone is unique, so the best fit when it comes to our office chair is individual too. Don’t use your chair straight out of the box; first take some time to tailor it to your personal needs. Investigate all the levels and adjustable features under your seat; the key to comfort might be as easy as making a small adjustment to the height of the chair or flexibility of the back rest.
Adjusting the chair until you can say you are in a comfortable position that will last several hours. Your feet should always be able to rest flat on the floor, and your knees, when seated, should be raised slightly higher than your hip position.
Customise this most essential piece of office equipment until you can confidently say you’re in a comfortable position that will last several hours. Your feet should always be able to rest flat on the floor, and your knees, when seated, should be raised slightly higher than your hip position. there of your job with minimum negative impact on your body.
- Choose Practicality Over Style
Sitting for extended lengths of time puts pressure on your lower back. Badly designed office chairs do not take this into account and can have long term effects on your physical health. The curve of the back of your chair should ideally be shaped to accommodate and even encourage healthy postures.
Operators office chairs provide effective support through firm but padded seats and backrests and are ideally suited for looking after your lower back over long hours. Essentially, you need to resist any temptation to select a chair that provides style over practicality. When you feel fatigued and achy, you’ll regret not picking the serviceable office chair that ticks all the boxes in the list.
- Keep Your Back Rest Flexible
Back chairs with no rear tilt keep you in a fixed position, which is fine for short stays at your work space, but for long hours can be problematic. Not every occupation allows you to stand up and take a stroll. if you cant move around, then your seat must be able to move instead. Ergonomic office chairs that feature a tilting backrest mechanism can be a great answer to this, allowing you to reposition your body comfortably without leaving your station.
- Adjust Your Armrests
Lack of armrests can encourage you to slump in your seat and can reduce support when you need to lean forward at your workspace. Both of these postures can have a negative impact, putting strain on your spine. Not all office chairs feature armrests, they can be a helpful asset, allowing you additional support when leaving your seat and reducing tension in both your shoulders and neck. They can also add an extra layer of comfort.
It is important when choosing a chair that benefits from armrests, to select ones that are fully adjustable. Too high and the armrests can block you fitting at your workspace or enforce a raised shoulder posture which can lead to tension.
- Alternate Between Sitting and Standing
Sitting down for long periods, is detrimental to your health. To help reduce the damaging effects of sitting down all day, mix up your position and move around the office as much as you can. The flexibility to stand or sit alternately at regular intervals is recommended throughout the day. You could try a sit / stand desk. Promoting good health and wellbeing, it will leave you much more comfortable when you come to sit back in your office chair.
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