As a result of the pandemic, studies have shown that about 42% of the US workforce is currently working remotely. But without a decent home office space, working from home can be very difficult.
The Mayo Clinic has comprised an ideal ergonomic setup for all remote workers to have in order to maximize productivity and minimize potential health issues. Here’s how you should set up your home office according to standards that best serve your physical and mental needs.
Office Chair
You’ll be seated for a long period of time throughout your workday, so it’s crucial to invest in a quality office chair. It’s most important to find one with lumbar support and enough height to have your feet flat on the floor. If your chair is at a comfortable height to your desk but your feet still can’t reach the ground, you can also use a footrest to make up the difference in height.
Desk Height
It’s important to have enough space for your legs beneath your desk comfortably. In order to prevent shoulder tension, you should also be able to type with your elbows and forearms creating a 90° angle or larger. If your desk height doesn’t suit your needs, you can place boards beneath your desk to heighten it or adjust your chair accordingly.
Minimal Objects
Be careful not to have a desk layout that is too busy, and identify what you need within your line of sight while you’re working. Keep the clutter to a minimum so that you limit your potential to get distracted by objects or become mentally frustrated by the disorganization. Having a minimalistic setup also prevents the nuisance of awkwardly reaching for objects around you.
Screen Monitor
Whether you have a monitor or you’re simply working on the screen of your laptop, be sure that it’s positioned in a location where you can look straight on instead of down. This will prevent neck pain and potential back problems that come with slouching. You can also adjust the brightness and warmth of your screen light according to your preferences so that you are not causing eye strain.
Phone Usage
You can use a phone stand to prop your phone during your workday and use Bluetooth headphones to take calls as you work. This is a lot better for your posture so you’re not bending in awkward positions to balance your phone as you type. In addition to this, setting your phone aside makes you much less prone to distraction throughout the day.
