The era of the traditional Monday to Friday, nine-to-five office job seems to be behind us. Many of us are now putting in longer hours, even sacrificing our weekends for work. Unfortunately, these extended work hours often lead to numerous health issues like back pain, eye strain, tension headaches, increased stress, and irritability.
To combat these problems, making sure your work environment is comfortable and safe is crucial. One of the most vital aspects of this is selecting the right office chair. Did you know that over a year, assuming a 40-hour work week, we spend around 1900 hours sitting in our office chairs? That’s a lot of time, so your chair needs to be extremely comfortable and supportive.
**Invest in a High-Quality Chair**
Whether you’re working from home or an office, it’s essential to invest in a comfortable, ergonomic chair. Often, more money is spent on desks and other office furniture, but chairs are the key component that will determine your comfort level while working. A good office chair can significantly boost your productivity and efficiency, while a poor one can lead to leg issues, back strain, and even carpal tunnel syndrome, which can result in time off work and decreased productivity. Therefore, investing time and money in finding the perfect office chair makes sense.
**What to Look For in an Office Chair**
Here are the five key factors to consider when buying an office chair:
1. **Adjustability**: Your chair should offer adjustable features, not just the arms and height. You should be able to adjust the seat back width, height, angle, and lumbar support, as well as the arm height and width. This ensures you can customize the chair to fit your body perfectly.
2. **Lumbar Support**: Good lumbar support is essential to prevent back strain and conditions like sciatica that can cause mobility issues.
3. **Fabric**: Your chair should be well-cushioned for comfort during long periods of sitting. The fabric should also be breathable to prevent the chair from becoming hot and sticky.
4. **Wheelbase**: Choose a chair with wheels, especially ones designed for your office flooring, whether it’s carpet or hard surface. This helps you move around easily without straining.
5. **Swivel Base**: A chair that swivels freely prevents you from stretching awkwardly to reach items, reducing the risk of strain.
**Try Before You Buy**
When selecting a chair, it’s important to sit in it first. Ensure the backrest follows the natural curve of your spine to offer adequate lower back support. Your feet should rest comfortably on the floor, and the chair should be adjustable to accommodate this.
Set your armrests so they’re level with your desk to avoid shoulder strain. Adjust the chair height so that you’re facing the center of your computer screen without needing to look up or down. Adjust your computer monitor accordingly if necessary.
A comfortable chair doesn’t just improve productivity and efficiency; it also boosts your happiness. A happier employee is more likely to enjoy their work and excel in their job. Therefore, it’s worth the time and investment to choose your office chair wisely.