Workplace wellness is all the rage right now. Since we spend 40+ hours a week working, it’s important to examine how your job can affect your health (for the better or worse) in the long term. It seems like there are new wellness gadgets coming out every day… but what really matters is that we take it back to the basics. Let’s talk about all things chairs and how they can affect your workplace wellness.

For folks that perform sedentary work, having the right seat is absolutely essential—particularly one that provides ergonomic support. If you’ve ever tried to put in a good day’s work in an uncomfortable chair, you understand how unproductive it can be. But if you’re sitting in an uncomfortable chair routinely, it can start to take a toll on your health and your productivity. Give your workspace that extra “wow factor” that will make your employees, guests and yourself excited to take a seat in the office. Who doesn’t love a comfy chair?

Workplace Related Injuries: What You Should Know

Many tend to overlook the importance of finding the proper seat that is supportive, functional and comfortable for work. However, providing yourself and your team with chairs that are adjustable to one’s body type can help redirect the focus back to work instead of the aches and pains caused by poorly designed office furniture. These aches and pains can include carpal tunnel syndrome, back pain, shoulder and neck pain, hip and leg pain, poor circulation, poor posture, headaches—the list goes on!

The best action you can take against these workplace-related injuries is preventative measures. Even if you think your physical pain at work may be temporary, addressing it sooner rather than later will be the best option, plus your body will thank you later. Consider swapping out your old, worn desk chair with an adjustable chair that supports your body in a comfortable way.

More specifically, when working at a desk, it’s critical that your arms are supported by armrests when typing. Did you know that a majority of desk chairs are built with armrests too far apart? When the gap between the armrests are too wide, you are not supported in your natural posture and it throws off your body. If the height of your chair is too high or low, it can cut off the circulation to your forearms causing a lot of discomfort. If the discomfort goes on for years, you may even start to lose feeling in your hands when performing certain tasks. Fortunately, with the proper chair, you can minimize or even prevent these aches and pains from happening.

What to Look For in A Work Chair

For people who spend most of their workday at a desk, it’s important to have the right chair. This is especially important for the folks who work hybrid or remotely—no more sitting at the dining room table to work! Uncomfortable office chairs can have a negative impact on the quality of work, how the work gets done, at what pace the work gets done and the employee’s mood and well-being—and that all eventually affects the morale of the business. There are so many different chairs on the market right now, so let’s look into what the different types of chairs have to offer.

Ergonomic Chairs

Ergonomic chairs help prevent musculoskeletal disorders from sitting. What you’ll typically find in this style of chair is lumbar support, easy swiveling and a stable base. Bonus points if you can find a chair with an adjustable headrest, armrests and seat height. A key feature of the ergonomic chair is a padded seat and back for optimal comfort.

Mesh Office Chairs

Do you find yourself sweating as you work throughout the day, especially near your back? Mesh chairs can fix that! The backrest, which is lined with this net-like fabric, is paired with a cushioned seat for comfort and breathability. High-quality mesh office chairs are also designed with ergonomics in mind and can come with a waterfall edge for improved blood circulation and lumbar support to reduce lower back pain.

Height Adjustable Desks

Let’s face it… not everyone in your office has the same build, so why should they have the same exact desk? Desks that are height adjustable are the ultimate stand-out amenity for employees. Conveniently, they give you the option to adjust how tall or short you’d like your desk to stand. This is an ideal addition to your workspace because it can accommodate chairs of any height and people of any size. For folks who decide to stand at their desk, these desks challenge them to maintain good posture and minimize the common slouch we’re all guilty of.

Footrests

Although they’re often overlooked, footrests can be a game changer at your desk! Footrests promote circulation to your legs and feet to help prevent fatigue, swelling and foot sores. Footrests can also encourage healthier, more “active sitting” by engaging your feet to rock back and forth for better leg circulation.

Sitting with proper posture at your desk can be challenging. Ideally, you need to adjust your chair so that your arms are parallel to the floor when reading for the keyboard, adjust your monitor so the top of it is at eye level and make sure your feet are supported. If you follow these guidelines but find that your legs are still dangling down from your chair, then you need a footrest.

Supportive Accessories Are Your Friend

Your chair alone will have a huge impact on your wellness and productivity, but supportive accessories are really the cherry on top of a comfortable setup. Everyone has different bodies, working styles and jobs, and adding accessories will only help build a workspace that feels custom to you and your team’s needs.

Reimagine Your Workspace with Relocation Strategies

Not feeling too comfortable in your space? When you find yourself at a standstill designing your workplace, Relocation Strategies is here for you. We’ll first evaluate your current space, wish list and budget constraints. Then, our team will come up with a plan for making your workspace engaging and productive. Together, we’ll help you reimage your space to meet your needs and please the eye. Contact us today to set up a consultation!