Working from home is a dream for many people. Fortunately, it’s a dream that is quickly becoming a reality.
This means working from your sofa or your kitchen table isn’t a long-term solution. You need a home office to make sure you can be productive and effective as possible.
Unfortunately, many home offices are set up with ergonomic mistakes that result in pain in your neck, back, arms, hands, and even your head. Without making ergonomic adjustments to your workspace, that pain can result in serious health conditions.
If you are working from a home office, whether it is for the short-term or the long-term, here are several ergonomic mistakes to avoid.
1. Ineffective Lighting
The lighting in your space for work is more important than you might think. If your lighting is too dim or too bright, it can cause eyestrain, headaches, and fatigue. Opt for natural light whenever possible and keep your light levels around 300 – 500 lumens when you are lighting your workspace.
2. Incorrect Chair Height
Did you know your chair can cause you a lot of pain while you are working? The best chair for work is one that is adjustable to your specific height. When you are adjusting your chair, keep your elbows even with your keyboard, your feet flat on the ground, and your knees slightly lower than your hips.
3. Badly Placed Mouse
If your mouse is placed too high, too low, too far, or too close, you will experience pain in your arms and hands. Your mouse should be within easy reach and level with your keyboard. You can also purchase an ergonomic mouse to supercharge your efforts.
4. Poor Desk Design
There are many different desk designs, some that work great in a home office, and some that are not so great. Choose a desk that is adjustable, and large enough to accommodate all of your equipment in an ergonomic way. Read this Uncaged Ergonomics article for more tips on choosing the best desk for your office.
5. Incorrect Keyboard Height
Your keyboard should be easy to reach and the height should not be too low or too high. To find the perfect keyboard height, relax your arms to your sides and bend them, creating a right angle with your elbows. The natural height and placement of your hands is the perfect position for your keyboard.
6. Incorrect Monitor Placement
Your monitor is another piece of equipment that should be positioned with ergonomics in mind. Your monitor should be positioned directly in front of you with the screen right around eye level. Keep your monitor an arm’s length away, and right behind the keyboard.
These Are the Ergonomic Mistakes to Avoid in Your Home Office
These are the ergonomic mistakes to avoid when setting up your home office.
Don’t ignore office ergonomics. Make sure your desk, keyboard, monitor, mouse, and chair are all positioned correctly. You should also make sure your office space is lit properly to avoid eye strain.
Follow these tips and you will have a comfortable workspace that won’t cause you pain.
Don’t forget to browse our site for more lifestyle tips.