Years of sitting makes you forget what it feels like to sit comfortably in a chair. Sitting posture and other external factors contribute to this comfort. However, the most crucial factor is the chair for your use. Even if you develop good posture habits but your chair isn’t appropriate, you can’t sit comfortably. Although comfort is a matter of preference and perception, here are 9 Best Tips for Comfortable Sitting in Your Office:
1.Select a Comfortable Chair
Consider many factors if you want to sit comfortably throughout the day in your office. One of these factors is to consider the tilt or recline angle. Nowadays, chairs have tension control that allows you to recline with ease. Ergonomic chairs should support your upper body weight so you can lean backward or forward whenever you want.
2.Know the Difference Among Backrest Heights
Ergonomic chairs have different backrest heights. These backrest heights offer various comfortability to a person. You’ll have to choose the appropriate height depending on your back-support needs.
There three types of backrests, low-back, high-back, and mid-back. Low-back chairs support your lower back and excellent for lumbar support. However, they’re not advisable for extended working hours. Most often, these chairs may not fit other people, especially if these chairs are for general.
Mid-back chairs are the standard in offices, mostly, because of the optimal support to the shoulders and lumbar region. These chairs have the right amount of tilt tension and are excellent for extended working hours. If in case a mid-back chair isn’t much of a support to the lumbar, you can always buy a cushion. Some brands even provide lumbar support cushion as part of their package.
High-back chairs rise above the head. These chairs are excellent for people with neck and upper back problems. Neck movement is quite limited to these types of chair. Here are the final tips for comfortable sitting with regards to this factor:
- Consider your personal preference
- Think about your lumbar and make sure support to your spine is at an optimal level
- Your working hours are the final deciding factor.
3.Choose the Right Materials
Some people say that the materials used in a chair aren’t necessary. However, expert says these materials matter. Does the foam possess the right firmness? Can the backrest keep you cool and fresh throughout the day?
Upholstery materials vary. The right material for the seat could be fabric, leather or faux leather while the backrest could be solid or mesh cloth. If you tend to sweat during the day even with an air conditioning in the office, you might want to choose mesh backrest and fabric for the seat and armrest. Armrest could also have padding or solid wood or plastic.
Before buying a chair, sit on it as long as possible. If you have to close your eye and imagine it to be your long-term chair, so be it. The important thing is you feel comfortable. It’s like knowing it’s the right thing.
4.Make Sure Your Butt Doesn’t Hurt
Seat depth refers to the measurement of the seat itself. A chair is too shallow if you can’t sit your butt to the base of the backrest. The right depth of a chair means you can sit with your butt comfortably in the chair and your feet are resting naturally on the floor. Furthermore, your knees have enough space to move around.
You got the right seat depth if you can insert your palm between your knees and the edge of the front seat. If you can’t, then, the chair might be too deep for your comfort. At first, you won’t notice the difference, but as you use the chair longer, you can feel the difference. People overlook this factor all the time. So, don’t forget this tip. It’s one of the essential tips for comfortable sitting.
5.Comfortable Lumbar Means Happy Spine
Remember this tip because lumbar support is crucial to reducing lower back pains. An improper lumbar curve can result in severe lower back pain. Sometimes, it causes numbness on your feet, pelvic region, and legs. Ensure your chair have proper lumbar support. Place lumbar support cushion if needed to make sure you get the right curvature.
6.Your Height Vs. Chair Height
The right angle for your knees when sitting is 90 degrees. Your arms and thighs should be parallel. To achieve the correct angle when sitting, you’ll have to consider your height. Tall individuals tend to have longer limbs compared to an average-sized person. However, some people have longer legs but shorter in stature.
The selection of proper chair height makes a difference in your sitting posture and the appropriate circulation of blood on your lower back region. With the appropriate chair height, you can ease some of the pressures on your legs and pelvic bone.
7.Armrests Aren’t Just Accessories
Armrests are there not to complete the look of a chair. They are part of an ergonomic chair to provide additional comfort when your arms need to rest from typing in the keyboard and moving the mouse all day long. Remember these tips for comfortable sitting concerning the armrests.
- Shoulders are straight
- Adjustable height and width are important
- These armrests should allow you to reach your desk as close as you can get
8.Use a Footrest
All right, you got everything correct. The seat depth is appropriate. The chair height is in proportion to your height. The backrest keeps you fresh and comfortable despite the scorching heat of the weather. Unknowingly, your feet seem to dangle from time to time. You feel tired soles at the end of the day. The solution is a footrest. This tip might seem out of the topic, but you still deserve relaxation in your feet.
9.Sitting Postures are Important
Practice sitting posture is still essential even if you got the best ergonomic chair in your office. Don’t rely too much on your chair. You also have to do your part. The chair becomes useless if you don’t sit on it properly.
Conclusion
Comfortable sitting entails a lot of factors to consider. It could mean ergonomically-designed chair or proper sitting postures. The point is these tips for comfortable sitting become useless if you become too complacent with your posture health. It’s a commitment.