Many times, a lot of problems that we experience can be avoided if we take the right measures at the right time. Many people often complain about the back, neck, and shoulder pain after work, but they do nothing to find a solution. While taking painkillers can provide relief, for the time being, they don't address the root cause.
If you're sick and tired of living with back pain and stiff shoulders and neck and want relief, you need to evaluate your surroundings. If your work environment is poorly designed with poor ergonomics, know that the solution lies here. Improving the ergonomics of your work environment can help you eliminate the common pains and discomfort you experience at work.
This blog post is about understanding the importance of ergonomics. We've also listed some ergonomic equipment that you'll be thankful for!
How Important are Ergonomics?
Ergonomics are extremely important, not just in the workplace but in every setting, be it at home or outside. You need to ensure good ergonomics at the office, at home, and even while you drive if you want to be absolutely sure that you aren't putting yourself at risk of developing any health conditions due to poor ergonomic conditions.
We've got a good reason to say that ergonomics is crucial in all aspects of life. Let's look at the many reasons why we say ergonomics is important:
Prevents Injuries
Poor ergonomic conditions increase the risk of injuries like muscle sprains and tears, chronic back, and neck pain, vision problems, and musculoskeletal disorders. Poor ergonomic conditions encompass a lot of factors, like non-ergonomic workstations that result in poor posture, poor lighting, and poor lifting techniques. Many people accept the risk of these injuries as a part of their jobs without realizing that they can be avoided. Good ergonomic conditions mean you're sitting in the correct posture and aren't exposed to any risks that may lead to injuries.
Reduces the Risk of Musculoskeletal Disorders
Poor ergonomic conditions put you at a massive risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders. This is one of the biggest reasons why you must consider improving the ergonomics of your surroundings. Poor ergonomics means you aren't practicing correct posture. Sitting in an incorrect posture at work, at home, or in your car while driving is equally harmful as it strains your back, neck, and shoulders and leads to musculoskeletal disorders. These disorders initially produce symptoms like pain in the lower back, neck, and shoulders, and if you don't do something about it soon, you may end up with lifelong disabilities.
Impacts Productivity Positively
Poor ergonomics also impact your productivity negatively. If you aren't comfortable and in pain due to poor posture or other poor workplace conditions like lighting and temperature, you'll be constantly distracted and will fail to concentrate on your work. The result will be poor productivity and efficiency. However, good ergonomic conditions enhance comfort, promote focus, and enable you to perform at the best of your potential.
Enhances Mood and Overall Mental Health
When you're comfortable and aren't experiencing pain due to poor ergonomics, your mood will naturally improve. Good ergonomics also boost productivity and that'll further make you feel good about yourself and everything else. All in all, working in good ergonomic conditions will improve your mood, reduce stress, and improve overall mental health.
Ergonomic Equipment That You'll Be Thankful For
Investing in the right ergonomic equipment will instantly improve the ergonomics of your surroundings. Plenty of ergonomic equipment options are available today, but you'll benefit from them only if you invest in the ergonomic equipment that's right for you.
We've listed some of the best ergonomic equipment options that can improve your life, from enhancing your comfort to improving your general health and well-being.
1. Ergonomic Desk
The first ergonomic equipment on our list is the ergonomic desk. If you've got to sit in front of a computer all day, every day, you're bound to experience back pain and shoulder and neck stiffness. An ergonomic desk can change it all for you. You suffer from pain in the back, neck, and shoulders after sitting in front of the computer for long hours because of the wrong posture. If your work desk isn't a suitable height, you'll have to sit in the wrong posture.
If your desk is too high for you, you'll have to sit with your back and neck stretched and arms placed over the desk awkwardly. If the desk is too low, you'll have to sit with your back curved, and your head bent forward. Both these postures will strain your back, neck, and shoulders and put you at risk of developing posture-related musculoskeletal disorders.
Ergonomic desks are equipped with an adjustable height feature that enables you to adjust the height of the desk to suit your comfort. Ideally, your work desk should be at a height that allows you to sit in a neutral posture.
2. Ergonomic Chair
Our list of the best ergonomic equipment worth your money can't be complete without the mention of an ergonomic chair. It's as important as an ergonomic desk for maintaining the correct posture. You're seated in the chair for long hours every day, and if the chair isn't right, you can't be comfortable or your most productive self.
This is where an ergonomic chair like the Ergonomic Office Chair BS7 steps into the picture. These chairs aren't like the regular chairs that you use. They come with numerous features that allow the user to adjust the seat according to their physique and comfort. The user can adjust the height to ensure their feet aren't dangling in the air. It also allows you to adjust the seat depth so that the lumbar region of your back is touching the backrest. Ergonomic chairs also have a flexible backrest to provide the back with superior support. Some ergonomic chairs also have armrests and swivel features. An ergonomic chair encourages the user to sit in the correct posture so that their back, neck, or shoulders aren't strained.
3. Adjustable Monitor Mount
Not many people realize that the position of their computer monitor is important. If you've never been given the position of your computer thought up until now, now's the time you do. If you've got to bend or tilt your head to get a good view of your computer screen, know that the computer monitor isn't positioned right, and you're at a high risk of straining your neck and shoulders. An adjustable monitor mount is one of the most underrated ergonomic equipment that you won't know you need until you invest in one.
Ideally, your computer monitor should be at an arm's distance from you and should be at eye level. You shouldn't have to tilt or bend your head to see it. An adjustable monitor mount can help you set the monitor at the right distance, level, and angle for you so that your computer monitor is positioned right in front of you.
4. Footstool
Ideally, your feet should be placed flat on the floor. If your chair is too high and your feet are dangling in the air or resting on your toes, you need to adjust the chair's height. However, even with the right height, if you've got to sit on the chair for long hours, you'll start to notice swelling in the feet. This is due to the pooling of blood in the legs due to immobility. Swelling is both uncomfortable and painful. Keeping your legs slightly raised will ensure smooth blood circulation and prevent the blood from pooling in the legs. You can use a footstool to keep your feet raised to ensure the blood flows freely to and from the legs.
5. Lumbar Support Pillow
Not all chairs offer good lumbar support. The lumbar region of the spine is most susceptible to strain. If your work chair doesn't offer support to the lumbar region, consider investing in a lumbar support pillow. Although it looks very simplistic, its benefits are tremendous. It's placed between the back and the backrest so that your back isn't without support while you're seated.
6. Anti-Glare Screen
Another important ergonomic equipment is the anti-glare screen that's installed over the computer monitor. The glare from the computer screen (blue light) causes eye strain which can damage the eyes, affect the vision, and result in headaches and migraines. Installing an anti-glare screen over the monitor will filter the blue light and reduce the glare, thereby protecting your eyes.
Final Word
If you don't improve the ergonomics in your surroundings, it won't be too long before you fall prey to poor ergonomics. The worst thing about poor ergonomics is that the consequences can stay around for a very long time and even for a lifetime if you don't address them soon. If you want to ensure your health and well-being, you need to consider working on improving ergonomics.
