Desk Station Set Up

Working from home can be fun, challenging and full of distractions, particularly if you have little ones running around. We will count that as quite a big challenge for most of you; yes, fur parents do count in my books. However, another challenge is having your workstation set up to suit you and your needs. Below We have outlined how to set it up. 

The term ‘ergonomic’ gets thrown around a lot when it comes to home office and work setups. Ergonomics is the study of the efficiency of the environment  and is applied to office furniture design to optimise the person’s ability to complete their work tasks. The only issue is that it is not a one size fits all. Ideally we would love to have an ergonomic sit to stand desk, with an ergonomic office chair with the works. But this often can’t be the case.

Setting up your monitor/ laptop

1.     Raise the screen to eye level

  • Use some books or blocks of paper to lift the monitor or laptop 

  • Raising the monitor/laptop height reduces neck flexion and promotes a more neutral spine

  • For laptops use an external keyboard and mouse.

2.     Take regular breaks

  • Give your body and brain some time to rest. Get up and make yourself a coffee, drink some water, stretch and move away from your workspace to eat,

3.     Avoid working from your couch or in bed

  • Make a designated work area in your house and stick to it

  • Keep your ‘normal work routine’ as much as possible.

 

Setting up your Office chair:

1.     Push your hips as far back as you can go in the chair

  • Ensure that your elbows are slightly higher than desk height and roll your shoulders back and relax.

2.     Adjust the seat height so that your feet are flat on the floor

  • Ensure that your knees are the same height or lower than your hips

  • If your find that with your elbow are at the right height for the desk but unable to place feet firmly flat on the ground, use more books or a box to place your feet.

3.     Lumbar support

  • Adjust the back of your chair so that it is approximately on a 100-110-degree angle.

 

Dining Room Chair:

  • Place a cushion or towel on the base of the chair to provide some cushioning

    • You can use a small pillow to provide lumbar support or a rolled-up towel

  • Roll up a towel and tie around the back of the chair in the lumbar region of your back to support your lumbar (lower back).

Our lives occur in the context of an environment and making changes to our space or objects can support our engagement and comfort.

Tarsha Willis