er·go·nom·ic
1: an applied science concerned with designing and arranging things people use so that the people and things interact most efficiently and safely— called also biotechnology, human engineering, human factors
What exactly does it mean to make your space more “ergonomic”? To me, it’s organizing and rearranging things that will optimize efficiency while working. Since going to school and working from home, I slowly realized the need to clean up my personal space and to get rid of a lot of distractions. Here are some essential items that every ergonomic workspace needs:
Desk Accessories
FOOTREST – IKEA
Having a footrest can reduce strain on your body as well as improving posture. Luckily, I live next to an IKEA and was able to pick up this DAGOTTO Footrest and it is life changing. It has reduced my usual back pain that I get from sitting for more than an hour.
DESK ORGANIZER – AMAZON
This desk organizer doubles as a drawer and a stand for your computer monitor. It’s great for neatly keeping all your supplies within reach so you don’t have to go scrambling for a sticky note and pen. Also, if you choose to place your computer monitor on top of the desk organizer, it would improve posture by raising the eye level that you would normally stare at the screen.
CABLE MANAGEMENT ORGANIZER – AMAZON
Have you ever had so many cables and chargers dangling everywhere that it made the area off-putting? For the cables that you may need to charge your laptop, phone, and tablet, you can get one of these snazzy cable management organizers that stick to a flat surface to keep those tricky cables in one place and from falling down.
Tech Accessories
WIRELESS MOUSE – AMAZON
For those who are working from a laptop, you’d be amazed at how much a wireless mouse will make a difference in your workflow. This minimalistic mouse is sleek, compact, and easy to use. You can definitely see how much quicker it is to scroll through emails and switch between tabs.
There are also computer mice specialized in relieving hand pain and reducing hand trouble. This Logitech wireless mouse is designed to the shape of your hand. You can also customize the buttons to your specific needs.
DESK LAMP – AMAZON
Good lighting is essential to reduce eye strain. I ordered this desk lamp a year ago and it was a huge upgrade from my old lightbulb lamp. This desk lamp has 5 different light modes and adjustable brightness. It is also flexible and has a USB port behind the stand so you can charge your device while using the light. Being energy efficient is also a plus!
LAPTOP STAND – AMAZON
The benefits of a laptop stand is that it saves you some desk space and raises the eye level that you look at your screen. In doing so, it reduces slouching as well as neck and back strain.
Practicing Ergonomics
Hopefully you found some inspiration to decorate your space, but ergonomics is more than just changing your workspace. It can also be a lifestyle change! I started building better habits and found that I am able to get more work done. You may find that you are already practicing some of these habits!
- Getting up to walk/stretch every hour
- Remembering to correct your posture while sitting often
- Looking away from your computer screen for 20 seconds every 20 minutes
- Adjusting your computer monitor to raise your eye level
- Setting your lights to a brightness and warmth level that works for you
- Standing up while doing work
For a better breakdown of ergonomics, here’s a video from the Wall Street Journal that shows you how to arrange your desk and some easy exercises to do.