You may be taking office chairs for granted all these years, but because of the increasing need to improve a work from home setup due to the pandemic, you have started to see the important role work chairs play in your lives. Not only do your work chairs affect your productivity, but they also directly impact your health.
Even if your work is still office-based or if you’ve managed to work from home, your work chair is still a crucial aspect of your work life and productivity. Poor sitting conditions may result in health problems such as back pains, muscle tenderness, numbness, stiff necks, etc. On the other hand, a well-designed chair can help you stay focused and productive throughout the entire work shift.
If you already realised how office chairs could impact your work, the next daunting task may be choosing the right office chair for your needs.
What Is a Good Chair for Work?
If you are working from home for an extended time, it may be the right time to invest in the right office chair for your setup. You have to consider those with adjustable features, such as backrest, seat height, lumbar support, and armrest. An Ergonomic Office Chair is equipped with wheels that will allow you to move around your workstation without straining yourself.
Here are some of the major features that you need to look out for when choosing the right ergonomic chair for you:
- Seat height-adjustability – Evaluate if the seat height is adjustable to the height recommended for you. Some chairs are either too tall or too short. Ideally, you should be able to sit with your feet on the floor or a footrest without pressure on the underside of your thighs.
- Backrest – Evaluate if the backrest is adjustable and has good lumbar support and do not create pressure points that may affect blood circulation. The backrest also needs to be of appropriate height and width to your needs so it can provide support without restricting movement.
- Seat surface – The seat should support you for the entire work shift without becoming uncomfortable. A good Ergonomic Office Chair usually has breathable materials.
- Armrests – Good work chair armrests should evenly support both arms. The armrests should also be adjustable to cater to your specific work needs. Armrest height adjustability is useful for long work hours.
- Mobility – Work chairs should ideally have caster wheels so the chair can move along with you. If you need to move around while sitting down, the chair should easily glide so it wouldn’t put a strain in your body after a long shift.
- Quality – Examine the work chair of your choice before placing an order. See reviews and make sure that it is of good quality so you wouldn’t have to spend on it so soon again. Most quality chairs can last at least ten years. You also have to ask if your chair comes with a warranty, as they most usually do.
- Appearance – If you do not want to spend a lot on your chair’s upkeep, choose a darker colour. Lighter colour easily messes because it can hardly conceal stains and spills.
A good office chair has increasingly become a necessity for work. It’s an investment that you shouldn’t have to think twice on. It can affect your work-life quality and consequently can affect your productivity and profitability. It indeed makes a world of difference.
Hannah Gilbert is a freelance writer who offers to ghostwrite, copy writing, and blogging services. She works closely with B2C and B2B businesses providing digital marketing content that gains social media attention and increases their search engine visibility.