Ever since the Coronavirus pandemic forced the world economy to slow down, industries around the world have had to shift their operations online.
Because of this prolonged period of sitting at a desk, remote workers are at risk for developing certain injuries and conditions such as lumbar strains, disc injuries, and tech neck, to name a few.
Before the pandemic, these strains might have been easier to avoid with ergonomic furniture in the workplace. But now that a big chunk of the workforce is working remotely, they must equip themselves with the right ergonomic work tools at home.
Here’s a list of some items that will make your home office more ergonomic.
Ergonomic computer mouse
Even the smallest gadgets can help ease some of your desk work pain. If you’re looking for a unique sort of mouse, look no further than the Penguin Vertical Mouse. The experience of using this mouse feels similar to using a lever and may require a bit of a learning curve. This same design, however, is what makes it more ergonomic than a conventional mouse.
Little to no pressure is applied to your wrist while using this mouse, reducing your risks for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). This is a condition that court stenographers and office workers in general often suffer from due to excessive typing and computer work. Specifically, one of the causes of CTS is excessive and prolonged pressure on the median nerve, the main nerve of the forearm.
The Penguin Vertical Mouse is also ambidextrous – the bowtie-shaped switch allows you to toggle between left- or right-handed use. You can buy it wired or wireless.
Another alternative to a vertical mouse is the Penclic Mouse R3 Wireless. This is much slimmer than the Penguin counterpart, bearing more resemblance to a pen. Like the Penguin, it’s also programmed for ambidexterity and can be bought wired or wireless.
Computer monitor
These days, people are learning to step up their work-from-home game. A quick browse through Instagram-worthy home offices will show you that many remote workers are embracing the multiple screens or big screen setup.
Rather than working on just their laptops, remote workers are taking things up a notch and using a bigger screen as either a supplement or their sole monitor. There’s even scientific research to back this. According to experts, using a bigger screen is more conducive to productivity because more screen real estate means more motivation to work.
A bigger screen will also prevent you from leaning closer to your screen, which could cause eye strain and back and neck pain.
If you’re considering hopping on the bandwagon, try this monitor from LG. Its 21:9 aspect ratio and 2560 x 1080 resolution make it ideal not just for work, but also for gaming and watching movies.
Laptop or monitor risers
One of the causes of “tech neck” is the strain on your neck muscles from keeping them still for long periods. The most common position that causes tech neck is looking down at your phone or device. You can combat this in your home office by elevating your computer.
The ideal position of your monitor is such that the top of the screen is at or slightly below eye level. This way, you wouldn’t need to tilt your head up or bend your neck as you work. Raise your laptop by using an adjustable stand like this one from Amazon Basics. The platform is also made of mesh to ventilate your device when it starts to get warm.
Phone charging stand
Refrain from bending your neck down to check for messages or notifications. Use this Wireless Charging Stand from ANKER to keep your phone propped up while it’s charging. Keep this on your desk and it’ll be easier for you to check phone notifications while you’re working.
Ergonomic keyboard
The Logitech Ergo K860 might just be your new favorite keyboard. This wireless keyboard has a curved body and a split keyframe for more comfort when typing. It also has an elevated wrist cushion that runs the entire length of the keyboard to ease pressure on the median nerve in your wrist.
Wrist rest
MouseBean is a bean-shaped wrist rest that attaches to the butt of your computer mouse. It elevates your wrist and cushions it, helping to reduce your risk of CTS. Another option is this IMAK ergoBeads Mouse Support, a wrist cushion filled with plastic microbeads that are supposed to massage your wrist as you work. 3M also has this mouse pad with a built-in gel wrist rest, so there would be no need for you to have a separate mouse pad and wrist cushion.
As we’re likely to be working from home for a while longer, it’s important to invest in ergonomic equipment for your home office. Doing so will not only ensure better productivity but will also help you keep your body healthy and pain-free.
