There was a time when finding self-employed people was quite a rare occurrence. However, the creation of the internet has allowed for a slew of new jobs to arise that can easily be completed from start to finish at home.
Naturally, nowadays there are millions of people that work from the comfort of their own homes in home-based offices, and while this is great for many, stay at home professionals still need to pay attention to the comfort and ergonomics of their working environments.
Many formal offices and workplaces hire ergonomics professionals to ensure that their setups will allow their employees to work comfortably without taking physical or mental strain – or developing musculoskeletal disorders. However, you don’t need to splash out on an expert opinion to create an equally harmonious space! Here are some great tips on how to make your home office comfortable, safe and enjoyable to work in.
#1: Listen to Your Body
According to ergonomics experts, your body will normally tell you what you need to change about your working environment. If your body is hurting in any way, you may need to adjust your setup to prevent long term strain or even injury from occurring.
Musculoskeletal disorders and back injuries are a huge cause of lost work time for many, so if you have an aching back, arms, legs or neck, be sure to make some adjustments. Even slots NZ players suffer from back strain from time to time due to sitting too long, so it’s understandable that office workers would be even more easily affected!
#2: Consider Lighting
Today’s average person spends around 7 hours in front of a computer screen. While we might think that brighter is better when it comes to workspaces, lights that are too bright can cause glare on monitors that can lead to squinting, eye strain, and even vision degradation.
To remedy this, it’s recommended that you direct lights away from your line of sight and prioritize natural light from side windows and an adjustable desk lamp.
#3: Choose the Right Furniture
Even if you don’t have the cash to revamp your whole office, there are ways to create a more ergonomic space that’s far more stress-free without breaking the bank.
The first thing you should look at is your office chair, according to the pros. Every single component of your chair should be adjustable, and it should also boast lumbar support, comfy armrests, and a seat that is adjustable to your unique body height. It should furthermore be able to move around 360 degrees, and should allow for bouncing and rocking, too.
As for your desk, it should also have a flexible or adjustable height to match your chair. Fixed-height desks can lead to back pain in the long run, and some people are even starting to opt for standing desks to remedy this.
#4: Pick Ergonomic Accessories
There are countless affordable accessories out there that are designed to bring you more comfort and ease of work at your office.
A few items to consider include an anti-fatigue mat for standing, a flexible footrest for long periods of sitting, and a PC screen with a movable arm or a laptop lift, whichever suits your setup best. You can also purchase keyboard and mouse pads with padded wrist rests to prevent wrist strain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and ganglion cyst formation.
#5: Go Modular
Modular design is a great addition to any home, office or not. If you can, invest in some furniture and storage options on wheels that can be added, removed and moved around as required.
As your business venture or career grows, you will need to make room for growth, and a modular system will make this change much easier and less inconvenient for you!
