Here are the 7 top tips to help you and your staff improve your working environment in the office by simply paying attention to how you interact with your office chair, workstation and ancillary equipment.
1. Organize Your Workspace Efficiently You need to organize your workspace so that the things you use most frequently are closest to hand and things that you only use occasionally are beyond this area. Key to this is your office chair as this will dictate the focal point of your work area. Things that you use most frequently, or for long periods of time should be to hand and within easy reach, no more than 12 inches from you. You should avoid stretching excessively on a regular basis as this can cause discomfort. It's better to stand up and reach something that isn't easily accessible. 2. Ambidextrous Mouse Use If you find that you are using your mouse or pointing device a lot, it's a good idea to swap your mousing use from left to right hand frequently. This may feel a little awkward to begin with, but it's surprising how quickly you will get used to it. Try and use the muscles in your shoulder and forearm to make mouse movements and avoid setting your wrist at odd angles, just keep it as straight and level as you can. 3. Use Keyboard Shortcuts Most software programs include a set of standard keyboard shortcuts as well as the ability to create your own individual ones too. Apart from being a lot quicker to complete an action it's also a lot less strain on your body, so use keyboard shortcuts wherever you can. 4. Change Your Posture Regularly Sitting in the same position in your office seat for long periods of time isn't good for your body - it simply wasn't designed to be used like this. So, when you find you've been doing something in one position for any length of time, try changing position by perhaps reclining briefly in your chair or stretching your arms above your head. It's also a good idea to stand up and get out of your chair from time to time to vary your body's movement. 5. Using The Telephone Place your phone on your left if you're right handed and vice versa if you are right handed. This means that your dominant hand will be free for writing or other tasks during calls. Under no circumstances cradle the phone between the side of your head and shoulder as it is very bad for your posture. Instead, if you need to find something tell the caller that you're just going to place the phone on your desk while you find what you need. Alternatively, if you can do so without disturbing others, use your phone's speaker if it has one. 6. Typing Techniques Make sure that your keyboard is placed so that the 'M' key is in line with the center of your monitor and chair seat and that you are able to reach the keys comfortably whilst keeping your wrists straight. By setting your keyboard like this the main keying area will be central to your work and seating position with the numeric keypad offset on your right hand side. When typing, use the tips of your fingers and maintain a light touch when keying. 7. Take Regular Breaks If you have a lot of typing to complete it's very easy to get engrossed in what you're doing and end up in a static position in you office chair for long periods of time. This isn't good for you so try and take a short break every 30 minutes or so, but in any event after an hour. A brief walk to the vending machine and some stretching exercises will be of great benefit in varying your posture and allowing some of those inactive muscles to get some use. So, to conclude follow these 7 simple tips to help keep your body healthy and your mind alert. . Organize your workspace efficiently . Do mousing work by alternating hands . Use keyboard shortcuts whenever possible . Change your sitting posture frequently . Use the telephone properly, never cradle it . Develop good typing habits . Take regular breaks If you keep these 7 simple points in check you will find that your work will be a far better experience and you will be much more comfortable in your office chair.
