Ergonomic working: what is it and which products contribute to it?

What is ergonomic working?

"Ergonomic working"—you've probably heard the term before. Especially now that we're having to work from home a lot because of the coronavirus, ergonomic working is important. But what does it actually mean?

Working ergonomically is closely related to the term "ergonomics." Ergonomics comes from "ergon" (work) and "nomoi" (natural laws): the science of interaction between humans and their environment. Put differently, ergonomics is the science of optimizing the environment and products for human use.

How do you apply ergonomic working in practice?

Working ergonomically is crucial these days, especially now that we're stuck at home due to the coronavirus. Spending long hours behind our screens, even at the kitchen table. Is that really ergonomic? A correct posture is essential!

Even if you don't have the right office chair and your desk isn't height-adjustable, we'll give you some tips on how to work ergonomically at the kitchen table.

1. Take regular breaks

Our bodies aren't designed to sit in more or less the same position for eight hours straight. Working in the same position for extended periods of time tires your body. Several researchers suggest that after a while, our bodies even partially shut down. This is known as static load. And you want to avoid that! You might miss the coffee machine spot where you can chat with your colleagues, but regularly take a break from work and think about yourself. So move regularly, even if it's just running up and down the stairs or grabbing a glass of water.

2. Correct posture.

Do you have an office chair? Make sure it's properly adjusted and you're sitting upright against the backrest. If you don't place your feet flat on the floor, you'll automatically slide forward on the seat of your chair. This puts you on the edge of your chair, putting a lot of pressure on the lower back of your spine. This leads to back pain.

The same applies if you're working at the kitchen table: maintain an active posture. Make sure you're sitting in an active position: keep your back straight!

Products that contribute to proper posture and prevent back pain include a Soft Ball, a Swiss Ball, and a Balance Cushion. Want to learn more about why these products contribute to a better ergonomic working posture? Read it here!