The mass migration of workers to telecommuting supports the fact that thousands of us work at a computer every day.
Whether in the office or at home, your workstation should be ergonomic. But what exactly is an ergonomic workstation? You will find the answers to all your questions in this article.
The Importance Of An Ergonomic Workstation
Before citing the reasons that make it an undeniable asset, let’s start by understanding what, precisely, an ergonomic workstation is.
An ergonomic workstation is defined as a computerized workplace where the user’s visual and postural constraints are reduced to a minimum. In addition, the comfort of the user must be ensured, to allow him to work for long periods without pain or fatigue. Several elements must be taken into account here, such as:
- Physical environment provisions such as lighting, space, freedom of movement, etc.
- The characteristics of the equipment such as work tools, storage furniture, etc.
- The profile of the person occupying the position (visual correction, height, physical conditions, etc.)
- The nature of the work (tasks, organizational requirements, etc.).
For obvious reasons, a job that does not take into account any ergonomic factors often rhymes with headaches, backaches, neck pain, muscle tension and much more.
Fortunately, some good practices are easy to implement to optimize the ergonomics of your workstation. Here are the best tips from our team; experts in posture and the prevention of frequent imbalances among office workers.
The Positioning Of Your Screen
A well positioned screen is the first criterion of an ergonomic workstation. The head remains upright and the shoulders are relaxed, which is essential to maintain energy levels and avoid pain.
On the other hand, a person who works with a laptop for long periods of time has his or her head thrown forward. Unconsciously, a tension is activated to retain the head. Muscular pains in the neck and back follow in the very short term, in most cases.
To ensure that the screen is positioned properly, one should:
- Keep the screen in a vertical angle, without pivoting backwards
- Ensure that the top of the screen is parallel with our eyes, so that the neck is in a neutral position
- Keeping the top of the screen above eye level
The most ergonomic workstation must nevertheless take into account other elements such as the work desk, the chair and more.
Your Desk And Chair
It’s not uncommon for people who telecommute to improvise a workstation on the dining room table, living room chair, etc.
However, it’s rare – if not unlikely – that these cozy corners of the house are suitable for your office activity.
You work several hours a day, and need all your energy to get through your day. Finding a place where you can sit comfortably with a chair and a desk is a plus on many levels, but mainly for your health. Ideally, a work surface is between 69 and 74 cm wide, and is deep enough for your work tools. As for the chair, one that is adjustable in height and on which you are comfortable is sufficient.The market offers cushions specially designed for workstation ergonomics. Discover the range of cushions available at Médicus!
The Position Of Your Body
Last but not least on our list, body position plays a big role in the ergonomics of your workstation.
What you need to keep in mind is to keep your back and shoulder blades well supported against the backrest. In addition, you need to be comfortable enough to keep your shoulders relaxed and breathe freely. For example, a chair that is too close to your desk could put pressure on your abdomen and interfere with optimal breathing. Even the most subtle pressure could be harmful to your health in the long run.
You should be able to grip the keys of your keyboard with both elbows bent at a 90° angle, close to your body. For the lower body, make sure that an angle of about 90° is easily maintained from hip to knee, and from knee to foot (flat on the floor).
Finally, what you need to remember from this article is that an ergonomic workstation offers much more than ideal posture. It also allows you to prevent many injuries and postural imbalances, not to mention maintaining your energy level at work.
Why not add a dose of comfort and support to your daily life with our ergonomic cushions! Discover proven quality products, available at a location near you.
