Do I Need an Ergonomic Home Office?

If you’re one of the millions of Americans who pivoted from working in an office setting to working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic, you may have found it’s more difficult to get comfortable and stay productive at home. You may have found working from home is more of a challenge than you anticipated but you still aren’t aware that poor ergonomics can impact your work performance. However, if you’ve fired up your laptop in a less-than-comfortable temporary office such as in your bedroom or at your kitchen table, you’re already aware that that your aching back or sore wrists is a nuisance.

What Is Ergonomics?

Also called biotechnology or human engineering, ergonomics is the study of how people interact with their working environment. Almost any aspect of your workspace can be designed ergonomically, from your desk chair to your mouse and your monitors. Poor ergonomics can impact your work performance, and almost any aspect of your work environment can either improve or impede your ability to do your best at work. Research has shown that having an ergonomic workspace can also minimize the risk of work-related pain and injuries with the added benefit of improving productivity.

By paying attention to workspace ergonomics, you can:

• Diminish existing neck, back, or wrist discomfort
• Prevent repetitive motion injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome
• Reduce headaches, lower back pain, wrist pain, or eyestrain

How Do I Change the Ergonomics of my Workspace?

There are countless ways to make sure your workspace is ergonomically optimized, but the most important things to keep in mind are proper desk and computer monitor height, an appropriate desk chair, protecting your eyes, and using an ergonomic keyboard and mouse. All of these tweaks ensure you are in a more natural, relaxed position that can boost your productivity and satisfaction with work. While everyone has financial or special limitations when it comes to a home office, you can do what you can and take every opportunity to make simple, affordable adjustments so you work life is more productive and doesn’t impact your physical wellbeing.

Get in touch with our team at Fox Valley Orthopedics today by calling (630) 584-1400 for an appointment.