Since the start of the pandemic in 2020, the world has been doing a lot of readjusting. Having to create a new normal so suddenly that is different from what you’re used to has put everyone on edge. With the back and forth of closings and reopenings of schools, restaurants, workplaces and different forms of entertainment, the only change that stuck was making things virtual. There’s virtual schooling, virtual concerts, virtual date nights and means of entertainment but the best change to come from the pandemic was working from home. So many companies are now allowing their employees to work from home or allow a hybrid work schedule where you go to the office for a certain amount of days and work from home the rest of the time. Amazing right? Yes, but if you don’t have the proper supplies to do remote work, then your body may be paying for it.
Your Desk Chair Could Be Ruining Your Back
Remote work is definitely the route everyone wants to take now. So many people are looking for positions that allow them to work in the comfort of their own home or anywhere else on the go.
You may be someone who works from home. If you are, then you know how amazing and somewhat concerning working from home can be. The amazing part is that you get to do everything you were doing in person at the office, at home. You get to be more comfortable and relaxed. You get more time to yourself and to handle personal tasks that you may have had to put off when physically going to work.
The concerning part about working from home that people don’t necessarily think about is not having the proper equipment to do the at-home work, specifically your WFH setup.
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You may have gotten an average-sized desk and desk chair and not even know that it’s causing physical strain on your body. Why? Because it’s not the proper desk chair or table to be sitting at for hours and hours at a time and offers no relief or assistance.
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How This Can Cause Arthritis Flare-Ups
If you aren’t sitting in a proper chair for long periods of time, it can cause back aches and strain. Chairs with no or a very small and short back do not give you the support you need, which can cause strain to your lower back.
A chair with a hard cushion can also cause aches to your thighs, butt and back as well. Additionally, if you aren’t sitting at a desk at the perfect height for you to work comfortably, you could be hunching over to type and read what’s on your computer screen. All of these can lead to an arthritis flare-up because they can cause joint stiffness and swelling.
Sitting down for too long in an uncomfortable and unsupportive chair can lead to inflammation in the legs, back, knees, neck and shoulders. You can also experience pain and stiffness in your elbows and hands, which are two places that certain types of arthritis such as psoriatic arthritis affect the most. Repetitive motion and staying in a particular position for too long are both ways to ignite inflammation within the body and cause flare-ups.
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5 WFH Accessories You Need For A Better Back
Now how do you go about getting that WFH experience without the aches and pains? By investing in proper accessories. Here are 5 WFH accessories you need for a better back:
- A Supportive Chair: It needs to be adjustable in height, with no armrest, and support your spine and its curves
- A Headset: Using a headset instead of holding a phone helps reduce neck stress
- An Adjustable Desk (Sit-To-Stand): Investing in an adjustable desk will help you position your monitor and or laptop in a place where it won’t cause strain to your neck, shoulders and back or have you hunching over.
- A Foot Rest: This will help alleviate pain and stiffness on the knees and help with your posture if your feet can’t touch the floor.
- Ergonomic Split Keyboard And Mouse: This type of keyboard will allow your hands to rest in a neutral position. The right mouse will allow your hands to be in a more comfortable position rather than just laying flat which can cause discomfort over time.
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Pain Getting To You? Here’s How To Fix That
If you are working from home and suffering from back pain already, then try taking a small break every 20-30 minutes, walking around your home, and doing some stretches.
Monitor your stress levels, sometimes if things become too much, it’s okay to walk away from the screen. Make sure to stop for snacks and lunch. It’s easy to forget to feed yourself when you’re busy. Food helps with inflammation and gives you an energy boost.
Working from home is a great experience, but make sure to make it a comfortable one as well.
