In today’s day and age of remote working and home offices, having an ergonomic workstation at home has never been important. 

If you want to ensure that you’re taking care of your body, you’re going to want to consider the ergonomics of your workstation. 

To help, our ergonomics experts are shining a light on why setting up an ergonomic workspace is important and how to go about creating one for yourself. 

Ergonomics in your home office for physical health. 

Did you know that some 16 million American adults suffer from chronic back pain? 

Without a proper workspace, it’s safe to say that your back will suffer at one point or another. When we consider how much time we spend working, it’s easy to see how this could unfold. 

Ergonomics helps to prevent muscle musculoskeletal injuries from happening as a result of your workplace setup. This takes into account how anything from your seating to your desk will affect your back, your neck and even your eyesight. The goal is to put as little physical stress on your body throughout your workday as possible. 

Comfort level impacts your engagement and productivity.

In addition to your physical health, an ergonomic workspace is also going to benefit your mind. 

When your physical body is at ease, you’ll find that you’re more engaged in your work tasks. As a result, your productivity will increase as well as your happiness. Suddenly, your body and mind are no longer in pain from hours of screen time. 

Consider a standing desk.

To start making your workstation more ergonomic, let’s start with your desk.

If you’re working with a traditional sitting desk, it’s time to consider a standing desk. Even switching between a sitting and a standing desk will do wonders for your back and your neck. 

You can switch between sitting and standing each half-hour. This is great for elongating your spine and encouraging blood flow throughout the workday. 

If you’re unsure about what will work best for you, invest in an ergonomics assessment which can now be done virtually with companies like Solutions Northwest Inc.

Invest in your office chair.

Next, it’s time to talk about your office chair.

While your dining room chair is getting the job done, it’s not helping your back pain. This is why choosing an adjustable and supportive ergonomic chair is crucial. It should be at the correct height and provide good lumbar support.

As a simple rule, you want your elbows to be bent at 90 degrees when typing on your computer or using your mouse. 

For some specific  advice on an ergonomic chair, contact an ergonomics consultant for an assessment.

Align your equipment properly.

You are going to want to be directly in front of your computer monitor and your keyboard. 

Many people have their computer monitor placed too low or too high. To correctly align your monitor, you want your monitor to be at eye level and an arm’s length away. This helps to keep your neck properly aligned and prevents your back from slouching. 

Check out our guide on the perfect monitor height and setup here: “The Ergonomic Way to Sit at Your Desk and View Your Monitor”.

Contact an ergonomics consultant for a virtual ergonomics assessment of your home office.

If you want to be productive, happy and healthy throughout the workday, having an ergonomic workstation assessment is a must. Due to social distancing and COVID-19 restrictions, companies like Solutions Northwest Inc. are now offering affordable virtual ergonomics assessments. This is an investment every remote worker should make.

This is the best way to ensure that you’re turning in your best work and not having to compromise your mind and your health. If you want to take your work-from-home routine seriously, it’s crucial to start with your workspace. 

Do you need a virtual ergonomics assessment?

The ergonomics experts at Solutions Northwest Inc. are now offering affordable Virtual Ergonomics Assessments specifically for remote workers (all you need is access to e-mail or a smart 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.

Subscribe to our ergonomics blog for more ergonomics tips from Solutions Northwest Inc., ergonomics evaluations available in: Seattle, WA, Tacoma, WA, Olympia, WA, Vancouver, WA, Kent, WA Renton, WA, Beaverton, OR, Portland, OR, Salem, OR, San Diego, CA, Carlsbad, CA, La Jolla, CA, Irvine, CA, Costa Mesa, CA, Newport Beach, CA.

Contact the Ergonomics Experts at Solutions Northwest Inc. Below:

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.

Below are 5 quick tips from the ergonomics consultants at Solutions Northwest Inc.

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.

Subscribe to our ergonomics blog for more ergonomics tips from Solutions Northwest Inc., ergonomics evaluations available in: Seattle, WA, Tacoma, WA, Olympia, WA, Vancouver, WA, Kent, WA Renton, WA, Beaverton, OR, Portland, OR, Salem, OR, San Diego, CA, Carlsbad, CA, La Jolla, CA, Irvine, CA, Costa Mesa, CA, Newport Beach, CA.

Contact the Ergonomics Experts at Solutions Northwest Inc. Below:

In the past few months, people who worked in an office are now probably working remotely from home. It’s projected that 25%-30% of the workforce population will be remote workers by the end of 2021.

If you are a part of the work from home force then it’s important your office furniture is ergonomic to ensure comfort and productivity. Make sure to keep on reading to learn about the benefits of having proper office ergonomics in your home office.

1. A proper ergonomics setup will help improve your posture.

If you are working at a desk that causes you to slouch, this can cause long term effects on your neck and back.

Making sure you have an ergonomic office chair will provide your back with proper back support. Ergonomic chairs will extend from the shoulders to the seat as well as curving  to support the lower part to support your lumbar spine.

Your office chair should also be adjustable in the armrests as well as being able to adjust the height of your chair. Your chair should be at a height where you are eye level with your computer monitor. This will prevent your neck from staying at an uncomfortable angle.

By ensuring your office furniture is providing you with the proper back and neck support it will alleviate the stress on your back.

2. Being comfortable while working will improve work productivity.

If you are suffering from back pain consistently from sitting in your chair then it’s a good idea to frequently get up to stretch and relax your muscles.

By setting up your desk and chair to provide you with proper back support then you will notice yourself being more comfortable.

3. Your mood will improve.

Having back pain due to improper ergonomics or a poorly set up home office can cause your mood to change. You’ll feel stressed and even angry that you have to suffer from pain. If you are having back pain from the way you are sitting then it’s time to upgrade your chair.

By getting a chair that’s ergonomic you won’t feel the stress you would by sitting in a normal chair. Your back will thank you because you’ll start to actually feel relaxed while working and it will improve your mood. Being unhappy at work affects how you work and even how you interact with others.

If you notice that you are unhappy due to your back pain, it may be time to upgrade your chair and watch your mood change instantly.

When you’re comfortable, happy, and pain-free – your work becomes much easier.

Now that you have learned about these proven benefits of office ergonomics, it’s time to upgrade your home office. You spend at least 8 hours a day working so you should be making sure you are comfortable while you work.

If you’re ready to invest in your home office space, consider an affordable virtual ergonomics assessment.

The ergonomics experts at Solutions Northwest Inc. are now offering affordable Virtual Ergonomics Assessments specifically for remote workers (all you need is access to e-mail or a smart 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.

Subscribe to our ergonomics blog for more ergonomics tips from Solutions Northwest Inc., ergonomics evaluations available in: Seattle, WA, Tacoma, WA, Olympia, WA, Vancouver, WA, Kent, WA Renton, WA, Beaverton, OR, Portland, OR, Salem, OR, San Diego, CA, Carlsbad, CA, La Jolla, CA, Irvine, CA, Costa Mesa, CA, Newport Beach, CA.

Contact the Ergonomics Experts at Solutions Northwest Inc. Below:

Do you know your ideal desk height? What about your ideal keyboard size?

If you need to know how to build a workstation, fear not. It can be a lot of fun. It can also deliver major benefits—if you do it right.

Some aspects of workstation design may be obvious. For example, if your work station makes your back hurt, then you’ll want to change something.

Other elements are less obvious and require a little education or help from an ergonomics expert. Read on to learn the basics.

1. If your desk is too high, find an adjustable footrest.

Most office chairs are adjustable. Unfortunately, most office desks are not. Finding the sweet spot between desk height and chair height can be tricky.

Sure, you can raise your chair to accommodate your desk. But then where do you rest your feet?

Find a simple footrest to free yourself up to experiment with chair height. You can even do this yourself by stacking boxes or anything sturdy to rest your feet on.

2. Pay attention to keyboard size.

This is easy to overlook, but keyboard size is critical for good ergonomics. Before the popularity of laptops, most computer keyboards were larger. Since laptops aim for compact, portable designs, a major trade-off is having a smaller keyboard.

Using a keyboard that’s too small has two major effects. For one, you’ll type slower, including time spent fixing more typos. You’re also at greater risk for developing repetitive strain injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome.

Whether you’re using a desktop computer or a laptop with a built-in keyboard, you still have options. You can buy an external keyboard that connects to your computer. Two popular connection types are USB and wireless Bluetooth.

Check out our recent blog: “Consider an Ergonomic Keyboard While Working From Home” for some more tips.

3. Consider a sit-stand desk.

Standing desks are increasingly common. This is due to their perceived health benefits when compared with sitting.

Sitting for long periods is indeed bad for blood flow and postural health. On the other hand, standing still for long periods can have its own drawbacks. As with many things, it’s likely best to find a middle ground between movement and rest.

A sit-stand desk allows you to adjust your desk based on your needs. Learn more about standing vs sitting while working here. If you decide to forgo ordering a new desk, just be sure to take breaks from sitting to move around and get your blood flowing.

4. Wear headphones while you work.

A good set of headphones can do wonders for concentration. Noise-canceling headphones will block out distractions. But even basic headphones can help.

Preferences vary when it comes to helpful noise. Some find music helpful. Of those, some prefer music with no lyrics. Others find music distracting and opt instead for natural sounds. More modern variations include ambient, binaural soundtracks.

If headphones appeal to you, then you might like to learn about other gadgets for your home workstation.

5. Location, location, location!

If your work requires concentration, then this tip is especially for you. Pick a spot for your DIY workstation that allows you to work without interruption.

Some potential locales include: Your garage, your laundry room, your back porch, your attic.

If it’s private enough to keep distractions out, then it’s worth considering.

You’re ready to get started on making your home workstation into a productive environment to work on.

The first step of building your own workstation at home is to research with blogs like this. Keep in mind that these aren’t strict rules. They’re more like principles to guide you on your journey.

These tips have something in common: most of them can be achieved with what you already have. Sure, fancy gadgets and special equipment can make the process more fun. But the best workstation designs are simply the most effective.

Don’t feel bad if you’re still confused on what to do next. consider getting an ergonomics assessment of your home office setup from an expert. Solutions Northwest Inc. are now offering affordable Virtual Ergonomics Assessments specifically for remote workers (all you need is access to e-mail or a smart 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.

Subscribe to our ergonomics blog for more ergonomics tips from Solutions Northwest Inc., ergonomics evaluations available in: Seattle, WA, Tacoma, WA, Olympia, WA, Vancouver, WA, Kent, WA Renton, WA, Beaverton, OR, Portland, OR, Salem, OR, San Diego, CA, Carlsbad, CA, La Jolla, CA, Irvine, CA, Costa Mesa, CA, Newport Beach, CA.

Contact the Ergonomics Experts at Solutions Northwest Inc. Below: