5 Quick Tips to Improve the Ergonomics of your Home Office Workstation

Are you one of the many people now working from home? Or, have you been working remotely for a while? Making sure that you have a good ergonomic workstation setup is crucial to job success.

If you’re just getting started and used to working from home, you might be at a loss about a proper workstation. Making sure you’re able to work well and safely should not be ignored just because you’re in the comfort of your own home.

1. Location, location, location!

The very first decision to make regarding working from home is where you will have the room to work. Do you have a good spare room that can be turned into an office? Maybe you already have an office space and it just needs a more ergonomic workstation setup to help improve your experience.

You’ll want a good ergonomic desk for comfort, good home office lighting, and a space that helps you focus. Finding a bit of quiet can be important to productivity, so make sure it is a space you are comfortable in but also one you aren’t going to be distracted working in.

Even better, if you have a spare room with a window, then we’d recommend placing your desk nearby. The natural light will be great for your mood and it’s not often that people get to say they have a desk with a view! You just don’t want the window causing glare or directly behind the computer monitor.

2. Mind your eye level.

When setting up your computer and desk for ergonomics, you’ll want to make sure the top edge of the screen is at eye level. Adjust your chair, your desk, or your monitor so that you aren’t straining your neck when staring at a screen. 

Be sure to read our blog on the perfect computer monitor setup here.

3. Protect your wrists.

As with a monitor at eye level, you want to have your wrists and forearms able to rest flat on the desk, without straining your arms. You don’t want your wrists to be extended or flexed. You want to have the proper neutral support of your desk or work surface.

4. Consider a standing desk.

When working remotely, it can be easy to forget to take breaks and that can result in an unhealthy amount of sitting. Sitting too much while working can be a risk factor. In fact, you may have come across recent news publications that go as far as saying that “sitting is the new smoking.”

One way to ensure you have variety in your work day is to invest in a standing desk.

According to StartStanding.org, “the greatest benefit of using a standing desk is that your productivity, mood, and energy levels rise. That’s because you are now moving from sitting to standing throughout your workday, and the desk is comfortable and easy to use. Many people start using adjustable standing desks because they want to reduce leg, neck, back, or wrist pain.”

To learn more about the proper way to sit and stand at your desk, check out StartStanding.org’s guide to the Best Standing Desks of 2020.

5. Sit comfortably.

Whether you choose a standing desk, or to remain seated, the previous tips still apply and should get utilized for both situations. If you choose to be seated while at work, be sure your chair offers proper support. It should be helping you maintain good posture without straining your back or neck, two areas at risk when you are seated for long amounts of time.

In conclusion, ergonomics will make your work life easier.

Having an ergonomic workstation setup helps your employer as well as yourself.

You have to consider your own safety and comfort when working at home just as much as you would when working in an office building. Don’t let you or your work suffer because of a bad home office. 

Take care of yourself and your work will only improve. Were these tips helpful as you begin the working from home journey?  If you need more guidance, contact our ergonomics experts at Solutions Northwest Inc. and inquire about their affordable virtual ergonomics assessment.

The ergonomics experts at Solutions Northwest Inc. have designed an affordable Virtual Ergonomics Assessments specifically for remote workers (all you need is access to e-mail and a phone).

Looking for more tips on how to create an ergonomic workspace? Contact us at SolutionsNW.com, we will be happy to help you!

At SolutionsNW.com we value the importance of a positive workplace culture. Part of a positive workplace is a safe workplace, Contact Us to schedule an ergonomics consultation or ergonomics assessment for your office today.

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