Ergonomic essentials for working from home

If you have a home office, you must make sure that the workstation and chair are ergonomic. An ergonomic home office will help to prevent discomfort, fatigue and pain, which could result in further health issues. Whether you are working from home temporarily or for a long time, here are some factors to keep in mind to optimize comfort and mitigate injuries.

Whether you are working from home on a short- or long-term basis, here are some tips to keep in mind. First, think about the tools you use the most often. Do they need to be within easy reach? Try to bring together everything you use during any given work day and place them according to how often you use them.

The lighting in your work space is also very important. Make sure that you have enough light and that it is easy on your eyes.

If possible, get up from your chair every hour to move around or simply drink a large glass of water.

Finally, depending  on your office furniture, try to set up your work station so that you can adopt an ideal posture:

• Your feet should be flat on the floor; your ankles should be at 90 degrees.
• Your legs should be parallel to the floor; your knees should be at 90 degrees.
• Your back should be fully supported by the back of the chair; your hips should be between 90 and 110 degrees.
•  With your keyboard, your forearms should be parallel to the floor, your elbows near your body (your elbows should be at 90 degrees), your shoulders relaxed.
• Your hands are aligned with your forearms and your wrists should be straight.
• Your head should be aligned with your torso and remain straight.

To fully enjoy working at home, you must start with a comfortable work space. Optimize your posture and environment to avoid potential pain and injuries.