The Benefits of Having an Ergonomic Workspace
Feb 25, 2022Leaving work after a busy day should always bring you and your employees a feeling of relief. But if you’ve spent hours sitting in an uncomfortable chair, staring at a computer screen that’s positioned at an awkward angle, your body won’t feel so relieved. Typical office furniture may be comfortable for some time or have decent cushioning, but if it wasn’t designed with the shape of the human body in mind, you’re eventually going to feel the strain.
Ergonomic office furniture, on the other hand, is specifically designed to accommodate the needs of workers who have to spend a lot of time sitting, or even those who want to be able to stretch their legs more often without losing any productivity.
Ergonomic Office Furniture vs. Traditional Office Furniture
The main difference between ergonomic furniture and typical office furnishings is how the furniture adapts to you. Ergonomic options will either support your body according to its natural curvature—as with desk chairs—or move with you to allow you to work from more comfortable sitting or standing positions. Office desks and computer monitor stands, for example, are now available in such ergonomic options. Workers who are comfortable are happier, and workers who are happier also tend to be more productive.
Increased productivity is far from the only benefit you and your employees can get from upgrading your workspace with ergonomic furniture.
Health Risk Reduction
Using ergonomic office furniture is a great way to reduce your risk of developing medical conditions that are either problematic on their own or could lead to worse conditions down the road. These include:
- Poor circulation
- Chronic neck and back pain
- Weakened or strained muscles
- Weight gain
- Sciatica
And, of course, by adjusting to the contours of the body and giving a worker flexibility with their office setup, ergonomic office furniture can also help improve one’s posture.
This furniture won’t necessarily prevent these conditions from happening—frequently sitting for extended periods of time is an unhealthy habit no matter what your office setup is—but it’s far easier on the body to do it with ergonomic furniture.
Where to Start Upgrading Your Office Furniture
Interested in updating your workspace with more ergonomic office furniture, but aren’t sure where to begin? Consider the following:
Ergonomic Office Chairs
Slouching in your chair for almost eight hours a day can put a hefty strain on your back. Ergonomic desk chairs, however, make it easier for you to sit comfortably and help prevent slouching with built-in back support, firm cushioning, and adjustable head and arm rests.
Height-Adjustable Desks
Many health-conscious workers make time to stretch their legs, perhaps even taking short walks to further improve circulation. The thing is, with traditional computer desks, you can’t get too much done while you’re standing. Height-adjustable desks can be raised or lowered to give workers the flexibility to sit or stand with their computers at a level comfortable for them.
Adjustable Computer Monitor Arms & Stands
While ergonomic chairs and height-adjustable desks are great ways to get you working with good posture, the placement of your computer monitor may still end up hurting you. Craning your neck or shifting uncomfortably in your seat to get the view you need can make it harder for the rest of your ergonomic furniture to help you as it’s designed to. Instead, consider getting an adjustable computer monitor arm or stand that can move with you. This can greatly reduce the strain on your neck and give you the best opportunity to maintain proper posture throughout a full workday, whether you’re sitting for much of it or using a standing or height-adjustable desk.
Memphis’s Source for First-Rate Ergonomic Office Furniture
Companies in the Memphis, Tennessee, area can get all of these ergonomic office furniture pieces and more from WorkPlace Furniture. Contact us today to learn how we can help you make your office a comfortable place to work.