The Importance of an Ergonomic Workspace While Working from Home

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed how people work, with many people pivoting to working from home to stem the spread of the virus. This means millions of people have had to transform their living spaces into a sort of temporary office, with many forced to fire up their laptops in less-than-uncomfortable conditions. While some find themselves working in their bedroom, others opt to work at the kitchen table or in their living room hunched over a coffee table.

Working from home can be a challenge for a variety of reasons, but many don’t think of how poor ergonomics can affect their work. It’s important to keep in mind that if you’re uncomfortable in your workspace, you won’t be as productive as possible. Instead of being able to focus your attention on work, you could become distracted by your aching back or sore wrists. Not having the proper workspace isn’t just a nuisance, it can also lead to pain, like backaches or repetitive strain injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome.

How to Tweak Your Workspace so it’s Comfortable

Making your work-from-home setup more comfortable may mean making a few adjustments. For example, while that round kitchen table may have seemed fine for the first month of working from home, it can become very uncomfortable as the weeks and months roll on. Although buying new ergonomic workspace equipment is ideal, there are plenty of ways to make do with what you already have at home.

Try not to hunch over your computer while working from home. If you can, use an external monitor, instead, to prop up your screen, which will help you sit up straight. Your eye line should be level with the top of the monitor. Working at this height should allow your elbows to fall flush with the height of the table or desk where you’re working, which will promote better wrist alignment.

To save yourself from lumbar and neck discomfort, use an office chair if possible. If you’re going to splurge on anything for your workspace, let it be your office chair. That’s because most people don’t have chairs at home that are meant to be sat in for 8+ hours per day, and you can either wear out the chair or wear out your own back by sitting in one every day for months at a stretch.

If you can’t spring for new ergonomic workspace furniture or accessories, making small, simple adjustments can help boost your work productivity and make you more comfortable.

Still in Pain Even with an Ergonomic Workspace? Contact Golden State Orthopedics & Spine.

Proper ergonomics can only do so much if you’re experiencing musculoskeletal-related discomfort. At Golden State Orthopedics & Spine, we can help you get out of pain so you can work more efficiently.

Contact us today at (925) 939-8585 to book an appointment with one of our board-certified orthopedic doctors.