Let’s Talk About Ergonomics in the Office

Sitting or standing for the majority of the day can take a toll on your back, neck, and overall posture. You likely felt the effects after a long day at your desk. With a few changes throughout your day, you can go from feeling tired and sore to energized and ready for the evening! 

Ergonomics refers to the practice of a healthy, efficient, and comfortable working environment. Here are some tips and best practices to help you keep ergonomics top of mind throughout the day. 

1. Stand when possible. If you can, try starting with short 20-minute sessions of standing to help reduce back pain. When you stand, you utilize different muscles while giving your back a break from the sitting position. Invest in a mat to stand on for even more comfort. 
2. Take visual breaks. If you work at a computer for most of the day, try to follow the 20-20-20 rule. Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds — this helps give your eyes a break and reduce eye strain. 
3. Choose a comfortable seat. There are many ergonomic chairs on the market from which to choose. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference and comfort. For example, some people love using an ergonomic stool that simultaneously supports the back while continuously putting pressure on and off various muscles and parts of the body. 

Remember, a great ergonomic seat can increase your productivity throughout the day. Comfort and productivity? A win-win! If you're ready to improve your workday comfort, try the UP Ergonomic Adjustable Stool! See a first-hand account below from someone who happily switched to an ergonomic stool.

Excellent for improving posture while working! 

"I am a special education teacher and I have come to love the core stools that we have in elementary classrooms. When there is one available that a student is not using, I happily use it and find that it prevents me from slouching and keeps me alert, as my legs are working to keep me upright. I wanted one that was sized for adults and that would look professional/match the aesthetics of my office since I have been teaching from home since March. This stool has been great! Although it is summer, I’m still doing a lot of sitting in the office, working on professional development, etc. but I no longer stand up and feel crooked or like my back has atrophied into a C-curve. I highly recommend this stool for anyone who is looking for a more comfortable work-at-home seating option! I love that the height is adjustable (even my boyfriend can use it, and our friend who is a chiropractor tried it and thought it was great!), and I appreciated that it came in a range of colors although I did just end up getting the white/off-white one. I feel like I’m all set with my home office now!" - Sadie M