Wanted: More Ergonomic Ideas
Wed Feb 21, 2007 11:39PM EST
See Comments (3)
I can never get enough ergonomic advice because I am consistently ergonomically all wrong. I move from one place to another, none of them adorned with a perfectly sized Herman Miller Aeron chair. So I am always on the lookout for good, affordable, applicable advice.
Luckily, Lifehacker's bloggers, who also sit at computers much of the day, are always on the lookout, too. Adam Pash found these "four best ways to sit at your computer" on Jon's Blog that are worth checking out.
The first idea seems worth a try: an exercise ball. I've seen a friend use one of these in his home office, and it's a good way to tone muscles while surfing the web and writing a few words. The problem is, I like to be comfortable when I write, and I'm not sure that would fit the long-term bill. But it's hypocritical of me to write with concern about sedentary kids and not do something to tackle my own sedentary ways.
Other ideas include a kneeling chair, preferably with Temperpedic cushioning for the knees ($254); the very free lotus position (it may be good for the hips but I'm not sure my knees bend that way anymore); and one that involves no sitting at all—walking on a treadmill while working on a computer. Could be the wave of the future, but I don't think I want to be checking email on a treadmill.
Check them out, then post how you keep your posture straight and workaday aches and pains at bay. (If you do, that is.)
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2 Posted by mikeandrachael2004 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:19PM EDT Report Abuse
apparently this posture does nothing for my spelling!
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3 Posted by nickdc1960 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:37PM EDT Report Abuse
Here's a bold thought that I just know will NOT catch-on, but since this is a proverbial online soapbox, here goes. The idea of SITTING at a desk, doing office work is something that was not invented until the late 1800s. Before that, almost all so-called office work was done either standing or semi-standing, while using stools. If you ever go antique shopping and find a genuine office desk from the early 1800s or before, you will note that it was small (allowing for only one task to be focused-on at at time) and high (making it necessary to either stand or sit on a high stool). Remember Charles Dickens' famous, "A Christmas Carol"? Do you recall how Bob Cratchett worked in the office? Both he and his boss, the infamous Ebenezer Scrooge, would work while standing. Chairs? Sitting while working? How do you think Ben Franklin worked? He stood at his desk, of course. Nick http://www.CreditManagementWorld.com
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1 Posted by mikeandrachael2004 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:19PM EDT Report Abuse
the important thing is to keep your back straign. Unfortunately those awesome chairs with all the cool levers and knowbs make it too easy to make your desk chair into a Lazy Boy recliner. It may be comfortable, but sitting like Julius Caesar in a reclining fashion with a bowl od dates at your side is not good for your back. Alternatively, putting your chair straight is not the best because you find yourself slouching or leaning forward. Having a nice monitor with the resolution set to 1600x1200 may let you do some multitasking, or perhaps do video editing or Flash with no overlapping windows, but those tiny fonts draw your neck forward without you even knowing it. Here is what I do: Move the back of your chair almost as far forward as it goes, so you only have a scant few inches of space for your bum. You want to sit on the edge of your seat, feet flat. If you have armrests, they should be higher than the desk. Let gravity guide your hands down to the keyboard and mouse. Do not look down or up at your monitor. You should look straight ahead to the top or 2/3 up your screen. Place your monitor on a monitor riser, a stack of books or old stereo components (we have one monitor resting on an Ampex character generator). Finally, discipline yourself to drink 16oz of water per hour of work, and get up at least once an hour to rest your eyes - stare at something 20 feet away (such as that co-worker who doesn't know you look at her or him every hour on the hour) for 30 seconds. The water helps keep your muscles flexible, and less prone to injury. Treat yourself to a massage once in a while, if your back/neck/joints are sore from desk work. I get a Swedish massage - it hurts but it's the good kind of hurt.