What is an ergonomic desk? You may have heard this term thrown around by your coworkers or friends, and wondered if you should invest in one yourself.
An ergonomic desk is a desk designed specifically to aid in maintaining proper body posture, reduce the likelihood of injury, maximize comfort, and improve productivity. Ergonomic are available in all shapes and sizes and are available from numerous different manufacturers.
The word ergonomics itself means something like “the art of making work easier and safer.”
Ergonomics is the study of how humans work in relation to the environment they live in. This includes the design of products, workplaces, and environments.
Ergonomics is concerned with human factors such as posture, body mechanics, and environmental conditions that may affect people’s ability to perform tasks effectively.
The most common reason for getting an ergonomic desk is because you suffer from pain or discomfort while sitting at your computer. If this sounds like you, then you need to consider getting an ergonomic desk.
Ergonomics is not just about how comfortable your workstation is; it’s also about how well you can perform at work without hurting.
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An Ergonomic Desk Helps Prevent Injury
A lot of people don’t realize what they’re doing to their bodies by sitting all day at a desk.
When you don’t have an ergonomic desk, you can develop muscle strain, back pain, neck pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and other injuries. These problems can be very painful and even lead to long term health issues if not treated properly.
The problems associated with traditional desks are only compounded by not having an ergonomic chair.
Most office chairs are purchased because they’re cheap and will very basically do the job.
But the problem is that they have a poor backrest height and poor lumbar support. If we spend most of our waking hours sitting down at a desk(which is a bad idea anyway), we start to develop bad posture, which then causes problems like lower back pain, neck pain, headaches, and shoulder stiffness.
If you’re looking for a new desk, then you want to make sure that it will fit into your space and help you maintain good posture.
Why Is Ergonomic Design Important?
Ergonomic design for your office furniture and work environment is important because it makes you more comfortable which will help you be more productive and effective in your tasks.
It also helps prevent repetitive task injuries from occurring like carpal tunnel syndrome, elbow pain, neck pain and more.
Injuries caused by poor ergonomics can lead to back pain, neck pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, repetitive strain injury, and even headaches. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), these types of injuries cost employers $150 billion annually.
The best way to avoid these injuries is to use ergonomic products, especially for those who sit at a desk all day long.
Ergonomic office furniture is designed to fit the body so that it can perform at its best. It should allow us to sit comfortably and focus on our work without causing pain or discomfort.
What Are The Benefits Of An Ergonomic Desk?
The goal of an ergonomic desk is to make your life easier and more comfortable.
Here are some of the benefits of getting an ergonomic desk:
Reduces stress and fatigue –Â You won’t have to worry about sore muscles after a hard day’s work. You’ll also feel more energized because you’ll be able to concentrate better.
Improves productivity –Â Your concentration levels will increase when you’re more comfortable, enhance your creativity, enabling you to focus and work more efficiently.
Reduces the risk of repetitive strain injuries – If you spend long hours working on your computer, chances are you’ll develop repetitive strain injuries . These include carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, and lower back problems. Getting an ergonomic desk can help prevent these injuries and keep you healthy.
Improved concentration – If you find yourself constantly shifting positions during your workday, you could be causing yourself physical damage. By improving your posture by using ergonomic office furniture and an ergonomic desk, you’ll be a LOT more comfortable and be able to maintain your focus and concentration levels longer.
Makes your job less stressful –Â When you sit down at your desk every day, you should expect to experience some level of stress. But if you’ve got an ergonomic desk, you’ll be able not only to deal with the stress but also enjoy your work more.
Increased productivity – If you’re spending too much time standing up and moving around, your productivity levels will decrease. Having an ergonomic desk will allow you to stay seated comfortably throughout the day, which will enable you to work more productively.
Helps avoid injuries –Â By keeping your body properly aligned, you’ll be able to avoid many injuries that occur due to poor posture. One of the best ways to do this is to use an ergonomic desk.
Better health – If you spend long periods of time sitting down, your health will deteriorate over time. Sitting for extended periods of time without changing position can cause blood clots, muscle atrophy, and other ailments. Using an ergonomic desk will help you remain healthier and more productive.
How Do I Know Which Ergonomic Desk Is Right For Me?
There are several things you should look for when choosing an ergonomic desk. Here are some of the key features to look for:
Adjustable height – We are all different heights, so having an adjustable height is a must have. Most desks come in standard heights, so they don’t offer any flexibility. However, adjustable height desks are available, allowing you to adjust to the correct height for you as needed and so can have your feet flat on the floor.
Ergonomic design – When looking for an ergonomic desk, ensure that it has been designed specifically for people who need to improve their posture while sitting at a desk or standing while working. It should be easy and fast to move between sitting and standing positions.
Storage – Storage space is another thing you want to consider. Some desks come with storage drawers or cabinets built into them. Others may just have open shelves where you can store items such as paper clips and pens.
Display height & distance – the ergonomic desk you choose should keep your display roughly 20 inches away from you and your eye level should be comfortable for you where you’re not straining up or down to see your monitor.
Easy access to power and connectivity outlets – An ergonomic desk should include easy access to power and USB ports. These connection points should be located near your computer, so that you can plug in your phone, tablet, or other device whenever necessary.
Plenty of desktop space – The amount of desktop space on your desk is very important. You should plan to leave enough room to place your laptop, monitor, possibly a printer, and your other devices like your iPad or your phone. A larger desk area allows you to keep everything organized.
Flexibility – Your desk should be flexible enough to accommodate changes in your workspace. For example, if you decide to add a second monitor later on, you shouldn’t have to buy a new desk.
What Is The Best Ergonomic Desk Height?
The ideal height of a desk will depend on your personal preferences.
Using a sit-stand desk, or as we call them here, an adjustable desk, is the best available option because you can move your work surface to adjust your comfort level.
You should alternate your time at your desk between periods of sitting and standing and a sit-stand desk is the perfect solution for that.
There’s no one right answer. It depends on what you’re doing and where you sit. The height of your desk depends on how tall you are, and the height of your ergonomic office chair.
However, generally speaking, you want to be seated at an angle of 90-135 degrees with your feet flat on the floor in a comfortable position.
the 90-degree angle that’s commonly talked about may actually make you more uncomfortable. You want your upper body to be in a neutral position to take pressure off your back.
It will take some adjusting between your desk and your ergonomic office chair, but once you get it dialed in you will really understand why this stuff is so important.
Next Steps
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