Functional and ergonomic, clean and friendly – there is no better way to describe how an office environment should be. Unfortunately, this is not the case in many offices, and stress gained from office environments are having unwanted effects on the physical and mental well-being of employees.
Sitting over a long period of time is often associated with headaches, back pain and neck tension, especially for people who have to sit and concentrate intensely for many hours professionally. In the long term, this does not do justice to the spine and the joints.
As many people tend to spend more than 6 hours of their daily lives based in an office, the office environment should be one that protects the health and boosts motivation and performance.
To gain better health at work, you will need to pay more attention to not only your posture but also your entire office environment. The following tips will keep you from ruining your back, eyes and overall health in the workplace.
Choose The Correct Desk And Chairs
Ergonomically correct desks and office chairs, which adapt to the shape of the spine and give it a good grip, are therefore essential. An ergonomic office chair is also height adjustable and optimally adjusted to your size to relieve the back. The height of the seat, the table top and the chair back should meet the body dimensions.
Also notable is an adjustable backrest to switch between upright and reclined seating position. The feet must touch the ground. The upper and lower legs should also form an angle of 90 degrees or more. The individual distance between eyes and screen, keyboard and template should be between 50 to 70 cm. It is also useful for the back and spine to change the sitting position more frequently.
With regards to choosing the correct desk, the table should also be adjustable in height, with enough legroom underneath. If sitting makes you sick, standing sharpens your senses. A standing desk could be the solution.
Get Lots of Fresh Air
Excellent light and good air ensure that office workers have enough protection against environmental pollutants. The right balance of heat, cold and noise are essential prerequisites to make you feel comfortable at work. Too much dry air damages the mucous membranes, so it is necessary to ensure sufficient (natural) moisture. Fresh air coupled with a good working atmosphere can benefit both the physical and mental health of employees.
Make Use Of Plants
Dusty offices can result in asthma and other unwanted lung problems. Choose plants to purify the air as they contain special enzymes that convert absorbed toxins into oxygen. Another option is to use cleaning services from facility maintenance companies – they can ensure your office is kept clean and free from dust and other pollutants.
Regular Work Breaks
Those who work in a concentrated manner also need periods of relaxation. It has been noted in one research study that several short breaks are more effective than long ones, as they aid with releasing tension.
Heavy shoulders and tired back are often the results from sitting at the desk for a long time. For this reason, office workers should also practice tension releasing exercises to increase well-being and solve persistent tension. A good exercise is to keep your hands on the back of your head. Try to push your elbows back as far as it is comfortable. Stop and take a deep breath.
Together these points can ensure you have a more comfortable work place environment in the long run, which is important for both your health and your wellbeing.
