Home Office Seating

So, have you noticed any developing back or neck pain?  If the answer is yes, you like many other people are starting to feel the effects of working from home.  When most of us first started to work remotely we set up makeshift offices and workspaces wherever we could.  We did not expect the virus to impact our daily lives for this long and as a result we did not consider the long-term problems our makeshift offices would cause.

A Kitchen Table is not an Office

Many of us were forced to get creative when we set up our remote workspaces.  Some of us used our kitchen tables while others set up corners of rooms with whatever work surface and chairs we could find.  At first this seemed to work very well and most of us were quite comfortable.  However, many of us did not think about our position or posture when we began to work remotely.  Most offices spend decent amounts of money on office furniture and this money is spent because a proper desk and chair promotes healthier employees.   A kitchen table chair is functional and looks nice, but it lacks the science that is used when designing an office chair.  Commercial office chairs are designed to provide their users with proper support for long periods of time.  They can be adjusted to multiple sitting positions and are specifically built to help keep your spine aligned and to prevent long term back issues. It should not be that surprising that people are developing more aches and pains from working at home, but do not worry this is a problem that can easily be solved.

Solutions

There are several ways to address the slow pains that could be developing due to your remote working set up.  The first one is the simplest but also the most expensive.  Simply purchase a proper chair for yourself.  Just make sure to do your research.  If a deal seems too good to be true, there is likely a reason for it.  There are tons of inexpensive office chairs out there that claim to have great support but do not live up to expectations.  Do some research and check reviews.  Additionally, spend some time to make sure you are purchasing from a reputable company and the chair is made by a reputable manufacturer.  That being said, you do not need to spend top dollar either.  Major furniture companies sell high end products with a high-end price tag.  There are tons of middle tier companies that sell products that are just as functional at a better price point.   If you need help sorting through what features are best for you and what chairs are good products for the price feel free to contact us at sales@furniturewholesaler.com.  We are always willing to help you pick a chair that fits your needs within your budget.

The next solution to solving any pains that are caused by your posture is to spend some time studying your work habits.  Record yourself for an hour or two and look at the footage. You could be leaning a certain way or shifting your weight around without even knowing it.  Sometimes a small adjustment to your posture makes a huge difference.

Also do not discount the value of stretching and exercise.  Working from home makes it difficult to take as many steps as possible in a day without putting forth more effort.  So, plan some time in your day to take a walk or to take a 10-minute stretching break.  Just moving the muscles you do not engage when sitting and working can have a major impact on how you feel.  It not only gets the blood flowing but can help strengthen your body in general.  If you are not sure where to start consult your doctor or a certified fitness trainer.  These professionals are trained to provide you with the best information possible to ensure you life a healthy lifestyle.  Do not be scared to as for their advice or to hire one. 

The way we sit can have long lasting effects on our health.  It is worth the time thinking about it and it is worth the effort in addressing it.  We all want to live healthy and comfortable lives, but it is up to us to ensure that happens.  So next time you feel like your back or neck is getting sore spend some time to think about why and plan to address the issue.  It is better to spend a little money now because ignoring small issues is how larger issues get created. 

Finally, check with your employer.  Some companies might provide a budget or might have a program that can provides discounts for your home office needs.  It never hurts to ask.  Just make sure to remember that you need to take your wellbeing into you own hands.