With a full year of working from home under our belts, it’s painfully clear as we hunch over our laptops at the kitchen table that working from home can be far from comfortable. For people with bleeding disorders, poor posture can be especially troublesome, adding pain and weakness to joints that might already have recurrent bleeds.
But there are several ways to spruce up your home office so that you’re comfortable and productive, and many companies today are reimbursing their employees for home office expenses. Here’s how to upgrade your home working environment to be more ergonomic.
Get an Ergonomic Chair
Sitting in a rigid, uncomfortable chair or one without any support for at least eight hours a day won’t do your body any favors, so don’t settle for a folding chair or a couch. Use an ergonomic chair, which is designed to support proper posture with an adjustable seat height, a headrest, armrests and a curved back for lumbar support.
Consider an Adjustable Standing Desk
Sitting too much can pose health hazards, including back pain and an increased risk of diabetes. So give yourself a chance to stretch your legs and get up, even as you keep working. Plus, there are potential health benefits to stand-up desks, such as improved mood and energy levels.
Use a Laptop Stand or Second Monitor
It’s more than likely that you just plop your laptop on your desk and look down at it as you use it. But you don’t want to crane your neck constantly as you work. Avoid strain by bringing your screen to eye level with a stand or an adjustable monitor.
Get an Active Footrest
These footrests let you rest your feet comfortably or rock them back and forth, which improves blood circulation and promotes the ergonomic practice of active sitting, which encourages people to be in motion even as they sit.
Use a Keyboard Wrist Rest
You’re probably typing on your computer almost every second of the workday, so you better make it comfortable. Wrist rests are designed to keep your wrists in a position that reduces tension while you’re typing.
Add Soothing Elements
You shouldn’t just be physically comfortable in your home office; it should be a space where you feel at ease mentally, so add soothing and productivity-boosting touches to your workspace. Start by bringing in as much natural light as you can, and put a few plants around the room—your productivity might go up after you do. For an added touch of relaxation, use calming scents such as lavender or vanilla.