If you analyze that how much time of the day you spend in an office chair, you would be surprised!
With an 8-hour shift, 40 hours a week, it is almost 1900 hours over the course of a year, you spend in a chair. Now, multiply this with the average number of years a person works, you can easily say that a large portion of a person’s life is spent in an office chair. Despite this, most of the time, we choose to invest in various office equipment and accessories, and not a comfortable chair; the same goes for the home office setups.
As we spend more time in front of the computer than we spend sleeping, it is important to choose a comfortable and sturdy chair for both your office and home.
Why a Good Chair is Important?
There are studies that show that a person is more productive and contributes to a more positive work environment if he is more comfortable with the sitting space, especially a comfortable chair.
Along with comfort, a good office chair has many other benefits. A right chair prevents fatigue, back strain and discomfort that comes from sitting in a chair for long hours.
What to Look For in a Chair?
Undoubtedly, office chairs are an important aspect of the decoration at your office or home, but at the same time, you cannot ignore the influence it can have on your health. This is why, when you are looking for an ergonomic chair, it is important to consider the following factors:
Lumbar Support: Choosing an ergonomic chair, which provides good support to the lower back is important. Without good lumbar support, you can come across various health problems like a back strain that can worsen to become sciatica. Hence, it is a better idea to buy a chair that has adjustable lumbar support.
Adjustability: When it comes to the best ergonomic office chair, one size does not fit all. Along with height adjustment, other adjustable features that should be kept in mind while buying a chair include lumbar support, arm width & height, seat back height & angle, and tension control.
Wheel Base: Rolling is an important feature in chairs that can prevent strains caused while reaching across the desk to fetch items that are out of reach. Nearly all the office chairs provide a right wheel-base; however, for the offices which support carpeted flooring, it is necessary to get a chair with wheels specially designed to work smoothly on carpets.
Recline-Ability: This is a glide mechanism on a chair that enables you to recline to get into a comfortable position while working. Reclining chairs allow you to reach your keyboard easily and work on your system without straining your eyes, shoulders, and arms. Also, reclining chairs reduces the pressure on your spine and sitting bones.
Fabric of the chair: Generally, the most ignored, yet an important aspect of an office chair is its fabric. The fabric should be breathable and comfortable during long hours of sitting. Also, the fabric should have enough cushion to support you without feeling the base of the chair.
Points to Consider While Buying an Office Chair:
- The backrest of the chair should be adjustable & provide proper support to the lower back.
- Height of the chair should be adjustable so that the feet can rest flat on the floor.
- The armrest should be close to the body and positioned to provide proper support to the shoulders.
- The seat of the chair should be long enough.
- The seat of the chair should be cushioned (memory foam would be better).
The correct sitting posture is the key to long and productive sitting in the chair. Here are the 7 rules that can help you sit comfortably in the chair:
Finding the right office chair is very important for a happy, healthy and productive you. Make sure that the chairs in office or home (during work from home days) are comfortable and do their best part in increasing productivity.
