Comfort and you

Comfort in the workplace
Do your muscles occasionally feel stiff and sore even though all you've done throughout the day is work at a desk?

The reason could be because you've been sitting in the same position for hours, with your body "locked" in a single position. Or you've been using one set of muscles, repeating the same task or using forceful movements.

If your body is held for a period of time in a fixed position, you may experience discomfort or persistent pain in muscles, tendons and other soft tissues. This discomfort can be prevented, or minimized, simply by moving around and changing your work habits.

The key to comfort is making sure your body is always in a relaxed, natural position. That means ensuring you activities do not force you to tense your muscles, strain your tendons or place your body in an awkward posture.

The ideal work position is to have your arms hanging relaxed from your shoulders. If you use a keyboard, your arms should be bent at right angles at the elbow, with your hands held in a straight line with the forearm and your elbows close to the body. Your head should be in line with your body and slightly forward.

If you work at a visual display, the top of the screen should be at, or just slightly below, eye level. This allows your eyes to see the screen at a comfortable angle, without having to tilt your head or move your back muscles.

Your chair should be adjusted for comfort, making sure your back is supported and the seat pan is at a height so that your thighs are horizontal and your feet are flat on the floor. Work materials should be within easy reach.

To give your body some relief from sitting, stand up, stretch or shift position on your chair throughout the day.