Office Ergonomics: Avoiding Fatigue in the Workplace

Office work may seem easy, but anybody who has done it knows how exhausting it can be. Fortunately, following these fairly simple tips can help keep office fatigue at bay.

Be Aware of Your Posture

Sitting at a desk for eight hours a day is far harder on your body than most people think, especially if you have poor posture. While you should consider seeing a chiropractor at a site like http://www.healthatlastcitrus.com if you have significant neck and back pain, it pays best to simply modify the way you’re sitting at your desk. Your hips should be as far back on your chair as possible, your feet should be flat on the ground, and your elbows should stay close to your body. Most importantly, you shouldn’t slouch in your chair; that will cause back pain faster than just about anything else you can do at work.

Adjust Your Monitor

If you work with a computer, position your monitor so it is directly in front of you at eye level. You shouldn’t have to turn or tilt your head to see what you are doing. Your head and shoulders should be relaxed and in a neutral position as you work.

Rest Your Eyes

Staring at a computer monitor is really hard on your eyes, so either close your eyes or look away from your monitor for 20 seconds after you’ve been working for 20 minutes.

Take Short Breaks

If you can, get up and walk around every hour or so. This gives you a chance to stretch and alleviates the back pain and eye strain that comes from sitting at a computer for hours on end. These don’t need to be very long breaks; a short walk around the office that takes less than a minute will do.

Adjust Your Lighting

The lighting in your work space can make a big difference on your energy level. Light with a yellowish tone will be better for you and your mood than bright fluorescent lights. Of course, you will want to make sure that you always have enough light to see. If you have the luxury of being near a window, open the blinds and let some natural light in. That’s always better than indoor lighting.

The most important thing to remember about working in an office is that it can be just as draining and exhausting as any other job. Keep these tips in mind, and always take care of yourself.