A guide to ergonomically optimising your workstation setup

If you spend the majority of your working day sitting at your desk, it’s vital that you’re doing what you can to look after your wellbeing. While you’ll need to get your work done, it’s just as important to make sure that your setup isn’t doing your health any harm. In this blog, we take a look at some of the ways in which you can ergonomically optimise your workstation to ensure you’re comfortable and content all day, every day. Go for a spacious desk It’s no secret that your desk is a major piece of your workstation setup. So, while you may be willing to settle for any style of table, it’s worth taking the time to pick a design that meets your requirements while you’re at work. It’s important that your desk is spacious enough to accommodate all of your essentials, including your computer screen, keyboard and mouse, as well as any other accessories you might have, such as a telephone or filing tray. If it’s too small, you might feel cramped and uncomfortable while you go about your daily tasks. Ideally, the model you go for should offer enough space so that you can rest your elbows on the desk surface. If you’re restricted in terms of the size of desk you can go for, why not choose one with inbuilt storage? This will mean you can keep all of your essentials close to you without them taking up crucial space on your desk. For example, if your desk has drawers, you could use these to stow away items such as your stapler, notepad and any important paperwork. At Furniture at Work™, we offer a wide range of high-quality office desks featuring a variety of storage solutions. Invest in a supportive chair To accompany your desk, you’ll need a supportive chair. Especially if your job role requires you to sit down for long periods, it’s crucial that you feel comfortable at all times. So, if your seat makes you feel sore, achy and stiff, you could be due an upgrade. When you’re looking for a new chair, there are a few design features you should look out for. For example, lumbar support is extremely important. This relates to the shape and curvature of the chair’s back section. A design with good lumbar support helps promote a natural, healthy sitting position. You should also go for a model that can be adjusted in terms of height so that you can alter the seat to suit your individual requirements. To make sure you’re comfortable, a padded, cushioned seat is a must, and you may also want your chair to have armrests for extra support while you carry out tasks such as writing and reading. Rearrange your equipment When it comes to organising your workstation, there’s more to it than simply scattering your equipment across the desk surface. In fact, a disorganised workspace could be doing your health more harm than good, especially in regards to your posture, so it’s important that your desk essentials are positioned correctly to ensure you can maintain a comfortable, natural stance. Firstly, you should make sure that your computer monitor is placed directly in front of you. It should be at arm’s length away from you with the top of the screen level with your eyes. If your monitor is too high or too low, you may find that you have to stoop or strain your neck, which can be extremely uncomfortable. To get the height of your screen spot on, you may need to use a monitor stand. You should make sure your keyboard and mouse are positioned correctly too. Ideally, your keyboard should be placed in front of you about six inches from the desk edge, leaving enough room for you to rest your wrists. It’s best to keep your mouse close to your keyboard so that you can move your hand from one to the other with ease. For extra comfort, you could use a mousemat with a wrist support. If you have any other accessories on your desk, such as a telephone or filing tray, make sure they are within easy reach so you don’t have to strain yourself to use them. Be mindful of your posture Although having a spacious desk, supportive chair and well-organised workspace can help you to look after your wellbeing, you will need to put some effort in too. You can’t expect your health to stay in tip top condition unless you’re mindful of how you’re sitting, especially when it comes to your posture. Be careful not to slouch. Slumping into your seat might feel like the most natural thing to do, but it could harm your back health. Instead, make a conscious effort to sit up with your back straight and your elbows close to your body. Also, make sure that your feet are placed firmly on the floor and avoid crossing your legs if possible. Make sure you take regular breaks Even if your workstation is ergonomically optimised to perfection, it’s important that you spend time away from it too. Sitting in the same position for long periods of time can cause your body to stiffen up, so it’s vital that you move around from time to time. Whether you go for a short stroll on your lunch break or you get up to make a cup of tea or visit the printer, taking frequent breaks to stretch your legs and loosen up your muscles will prevent a whole host of potential health problems such as back ache. You may also want to practise the 20-20-20 rule. Every 20 minutes, take 20 seconds to look away from your computer screen at something 20 feet away. This can help prevent your eyes from becoming strained from looking at your monitor for too long. Taking the time to ergonomically optimise your workspace is important. By strategically organising your desk, investing in supportive furniture and understanding the importance of posture and taking regular breaks, you shouldn’t struggle to create a comfortable and pleasant place to work.