Ergonomics is the science of studying the relationship between humans with the elements in their surroundings, their effects, and how an individual's comfort and safety needs can be met. Most of the focus today is on workplace ergonomics, but good ergonomics are equally important for people of all ages and sexes in all settings, whether office or home.
Poor ergonomics affect everyone in the same way, making it necessary for you to ensure good ergonomics at your workplace and home.
This blog post talks about how ergonomics affect everyone, whether at home or work, and lists some must-have ergonomic essentials to ensure your health and safety wherever you are!
How Can Poor Ergonomics Affect You?
Poor ergonomics can affect you in multiple ways. In fact, some of the health-related complaints that you currently have might be due to poor ergonomics.
Let's have a look at how poor ergonomics can affect people of all ages and why you need to work on improving ergonomics in your surroundings:
Back Pain
If you sit in an incorrect posture for long hours at work or home, you're at a high risk of experiencing back pain. Sitting in the wrong posture puts stress on the back, which results in pain that can get chronic over time. If your job requires you to sit in front of the computer for long hours, you're bound to experience back pain because of poor sitting posture at work.
Poor sitting posture at home can also cause back pain. If you spend long hours sitting on the couch watching TV, you may experience back pain. If you've got elderly at home, poor sitting posture can cause worse back pain because their bodies aren't as strong as yours, and even the slightest stress on the back will be too much for them to handle!
Poor ergonomics can also affect children. If your child studies sitting in an incorrect posture, they'll also experience back pain.
Musculoskeletal Disorders
Another major consequence of poor ergonomics is musculoskeletal disorders. MSDs are caused due to poor posture at work and home. You're at a massive risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders if you spend a lot of time sitting, standing, or lifting heavy objects. These disorders present themselves as pain in the back, neck, and shoulders and later worsen to the extent that you may find it hard to do even your day-to-day tasks without feeling pain or discomfort.
Everyone is at a similar risk of developing posture-related musculoskeletal disorders, including computer users, children, and the elderly. Poor posture causes MSDs because poor posture puts strain on different parts of the body, primarily the back, neck, and shoulders, and these fatigued muscles and tendons are highly prone to injury and damage.
A common musculoskeletal disorder found in people who've got to use the computer for long hours every day is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, which is caused by strain to the median nerve in the wrist. This disorder makes using the fingers extremely painful. Another common work-related musculoskeletal disorder includes Trigger Fingers.
Essential Ergonomic Equipment
Now that you know people of all ages are at an equal risk of developing serious health conditions, it's essential for you to improve the ergonomics around you, including your office and your home.
We've listed some must-have ergonomic essentials that'll help you reduce the risk of developing health conditions due to poor ergonomics.
Ergonomic Equipment for Offices
Working adults are at the highest risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders due to poor ergonomics because they spend most of their day sitting or standing in incorrect postures. Below are some ergonomic essentials that can make their workplaces safe and healthy for them and reduce the risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders.
1. Ergonomic Work Desk
An ergonomic work desk is the most important thing you must have in your workspace. An ergonomic work desk is unlike the regular desk that you currently use. These specially designed work desks have an adjustable height feature that allows you to lower or raise the height of your desk to ensure you aren't working in an incorrect posture (either with your back curved and head bent forward or your back stretched and arms placed awkwardly at a desk that's too high for you).
2. Ergonomic Office Chair
The next must-have ergonomic essential for your workspace is an ergonomic chair. This is a special chair with unique features to reduce the stress on your back and shoulders. An ergonomic chair like the Essential Office chair (C3) comes with adjustable height, and seat depth features that allow you to adjust the height of the chair to ensure your feet are parallel to the floor and the seat is just the right size for you. Ergonomic chairs also have flexible and breathable backrests that provide superior back support. Armrests provide elbow support so that your arm muscles don't get fatigued due to lack of support.
3. Adjustable Monitor Mount
The adjustable monitor mount is another ergonomic essential for offices. The incorrect placement of the computer monitor is one of the biggest risk factors that may put you at risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders. An adjustable monitor mount ensures that your computer monitor is placed at eye level and is the proper distance from you and at the right angle so that you don't have to tilt or bend your head awkwardly.
4. Ergonomic Keyboard
Every employer must provide their employees with an ergonomic keyboard. Ergonomic keyboards feature a unique design that allows a natural placement of hands while typing. The user doesn't have to lift their wrists or fingers awkwardly, which may put them at risk of developing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. The keys are also softer, so the users don't have to strain their fingers while typing.
5. Ergonomic Mouse
An ergonomic mouse is also a must-have ergonomic essential. Just like an ergonomic keyboard, the buttons of an ergonomic mouse are softer and more sensitive so that the user doesn't have to press too hard, which may strain the fingers.
6. Footrest
It would be best if you use a footrest at work. Keeping your feet slightly elevated will ensure a smooth blood flow to and from the legs to keep the chances of painful swelling in the feet at bay.
7. Anti-Glare Screen
If your job requires you to use a computer all day long, an anti-glare screen for the computer monitor is a must-have for you. The glare from the screen can cause eye strain, leading to headaches, blurred vision, and even the weakening of eyesight. An anti-glare screen reduces the glare and hence reduces eye strain.
Ergonomic Equipment for Homes
As we've already explained, everyone is at an equal risk of health conditions due to poor ergonomics, which means your family members are too. Ensuring good ergonomics at home is equally important.
Below are some must-have ergonomic essentials for the home to ensure your home is as safe and healthy place as your office:
8. Ergonomic Couches
Everyone spends a lot of time watching TV while sitting on the couch, and most of the time, they're seated in an incorrect posture. This can put them at risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders. However, you can reduce this risk by replacing your living room couches with ergonomic varieties. Ergonomic couches have longer backrests and armrests to provide superior support to the body while you're sitting on it. You can also opt for ergonomic recliners so that everyone in the family can enjoy a personalized sitting experience by adjusting the recline to suit themselves.
9. Ergonomic Study Table and Chair
If you've got children at home, an ergonomic study table and chair are a must-have ergonomic essential for you. The height of the ergonomic study table can be adjusted to suit your child, ensuring that your child isn't sitting in an incorrect posture while studying. An ergonomic chair, just like ergonomic chairs for offices, provides superior back support, which reduces the risk of your child experiencing back pain or developing any symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders.
10. Adjustable Laptop Stand
Most children spend several hours of their day on laptops which puts them at risk of poor ergonomics-related health conditions like back, neck, and shoulder pain, headaches, and poor eyesight. A must-have ergonomic essential in this case is an adjustable laptop stand that'll ensure the laptop is placed at an appropriate height and angle so that the screen is at an eye-level and the keypad doesn't require your child to place their hands awkwardly.
Final Words
We keep saying this, and we'll say it again; poor ergonomics are harmful to people of all ages and in all settings. If you think improving workplace ergonomics is all you need to do to ensure your health and safety, you're highly mistaken. Improving home ergonomics is just as important, or should we say more, because the health and safety of your children and elderly parents are also at risk due to poor home ergonomics. It may seem like too much work (and money) right now, but it's every bit worth it!
