In today's world, we spend a lot of time sitting around. May it be working, studying, gaming, driving, or reading; a lot of our day is spent sitting. Does your back hurt often? Do you wake up with aching shoulders? This may have a lot to do with the way you sit during the day. Thus, it is essential to ensure that we have a good posture while we sit. To ensure this, we need to practice posture training, which will improve our posture and recognize what causes strain to the body.
The largest chunk of our time sitting is spent working. Thus, we must invest in a good chair at the office and home. Ergonomic training can boost productivity, making us feel more relaxed and energized. A good chair will ensure that we maintain a neutral posture while sitting, allowing us to work for extended periods. So what constitutes a good chair?
First things first, there is no one-size-fits-all to chairs. All of our bodies are different, and so we all have different needs. One should factor in differences in height, weight, and prior conditions before choosing a chair that works for them. What may work for someone may not necessarily work for someone else; that being said, there are a few checkboxes one should maintain while choosing an ergonomic chair.
• Good lumbar support: A chair should help you sit upright and support the curve of your spine. Sitting for extended periods can cause a lot of strain to the spine, leading to various illnesses later in life. Investing in a chair with good lumbar support will go a long way in helping you avoid these diseases. With the reduced strain on the spine, one can feel less tired, allowing them to have great productivity at work.
• Adjustable height: One should maintain right angles at their hips and their knees while sitting. A chair with adjustable height will allow you to ensure these angles while you sit, regardless of your height. Your knees should be in line with your hips, so you may have to additionally invest in a footrest that allows for your desk-chair set up to work correctly for you.
• Headrest: One can also look into investing in chairs with a headrest. Sitting for extended periods can lead to musculoskeletal dysfunction. A custom headrest that allows you to rest your head while sitting will help avoid developing these diseases.
Maintaining good ergonomics is especially crucial during this pandemic. Many of us have had to transition from working at the office to working at home; not everyone is equipped with a proper work set up for it. To ensure an effective transition, one should find a comfortable spot around the house free of distractions. When half of the year has been spent working from home, it may be a good idea to invest in an office chair. An ergonomic chair and workspace will ensure that you can work for extended periods, effectively and painlessly.
