Being in pain after every workday is not only annoying, but it’s bad for your wellbeing. Spending hours in uncomfortable positions will affect your posture negatively, meaning you are hurting your spine, legs, knees, hips, etc. But your physical health isn’t the only thing affected by discomfort. Our mind gets exhausted if we aren’t comfortable, which means that bad sitting can affect our mood. It can also have a negative impact on our sleeping, stress levels, ability to focus, productivity, creativity, etc.

So, being sedentary is very unhealthy, but if you are sitting uncomfortably and crooked, it’s even more so. And that’s why we need ergonomic equipment and furniture pieces. Designed to complement your body, they allow it to keep its natural posture, and they protect your overall wellbeing. The point of ergonomics is to create safe and comfortable working conditions, not only to protect the person working, but also to protect the business itself, because discomfort isn’t good for productivity, and it can lead to more sick days.

Source: ergolink.com.au

Ergonomic Chairs Promote Health

With so many ergonomic chairs out there, how can you tell if the one you like is the right one? Whether you need one for your home office or you are looking for chairs for your workplace, there are several things you should take into consideration when you are deciding which ergonomic office chairs to buy, including dimensions, support, armrests, mobility, stability and adjustability.

The thing that makes ergonomic chairs the best sitting option when you have to sit for hours on the computer, like when you are working or gaming, is that they can adapt to your body. This means that the chair is adjustable, allowing you to adjust the height of the seat, lumbar support and backrest, armrests, width of the chair, etc. A good ergonomic chair should allow mobility, but also be stable. This means that it should move and rotate easily, which is great for your blood circulation, but it should also keep you stable.

Source: ispaceoffice.com

Things to Consider when Choosing an Ergonomic Chair

The first thing to consider before buying your ergonomic office chair is the quality of the materials it’s made of. You should avoid unbreathable synthetic materials. Mesh backrests are a great option, since not only will they allow airflow, but they are also very comfortable, because they contour your body, spreading the weight across a large area.

The seat height must be easily adjustable to your needs. Generally, around 40-55cm off the floor should be suitable for most people. When you seat on your ergonomic chair, you should be able to have your feet flat on the floor. Your thighs should be horizontal and the arms even with the height of the desk.

The standard for the seat width is 43-50cm, which should be enough to be comfortable and support anyone. From the front to the back of the seat (the depth of the chair), you should be able to sit with your back against the backrest of the chair, leaving 5-10 cm between the back of your knees and the seat of the chair.

The backrest should also be adjustable. You should be able to go forward and backwards, adjust it at the angle you need and then lock it into position. The lumbar spine is the part of our spine that suffers the most from sitting, which is why one of the most important parts of a chair. In fact, one of the things that make an office chair ergonomic is the adjustable lumbar support placed on the backrest. You should be able to adjust it both in height and in-depth to find the proper fit so that it will support the inward curve of your lower back.

Good adjustable armrests are also a vital part of ergonomic office chairs. If our arms don’t get the proper support when we are working on the computer, they weigh our body down and we feel pain in the neck, shoulders and shoulder blades. Armrests should also be removable. The height should be between 17 and 25cm from the seat. They should broad, and when you are typing you should be able to rest your elbows and lower arms on them lightly.

Source: branchfurniture.com

Create a Complete Ergonomic Workplace

If you are worried that you are leading a sedentary lifestyle, there are a few things you can do. Getting some exercise, if you aren’t already, is a great way to help your body recuperate, but exercising isn’t enough. This is why you should make short breaks ever so often and use them to stretch and walk around a little bit. Furthermore, you should also think about investing in a height-adjustable desk, to alternate between sitting in your comfy office ergonomic chair and standing to promote blood flow, move your legs, improve your posture, and so on.

The post Workplace Health and Wellbeing: Think Ergonomics for Safety, Comfort and Productivity appeared first on Sherlocks.com.au Blog.

Should I get a new sit-stand desk or a unit that sits on top of the desk I already own?

This is largely a matter of how much space you have available. A stand-alone sit-stand desk is sure to give a whole new configuration to your desktop setup and allow you to spread out more. If, however, the space under you current desk is perfect for you, a sit-stand unit placed on your current desk might be the better investment.

Should the Sit-stand Desk be Height Adjustable?

This feature is very important since being able to adjust the height to your sit stand desktop workstation can allow you to find the perfect hight you need for every task. For example, you might want one height when writing and a different height when using your computer. Also, if your desk is being used by more than one person, it can accommodate different body sizes and workstation preferences.

How Deep of a Sit-stand Desk Should I Get?

When talking about how deep a desk should be, I am referring to the distance from its front to the back when facing it. The minimum depth you want for your sit stand desktop workstation is 76cm as this depth will give you ideal work space and allow you to spread out more.

How Important is Weight Capacity?

Most sit stand workstations are built to withstand the weight of typical desktop items, such as a phone, computer, etc. However, if you want to place some especially heavy objects on the desk, you need to find the weight limit for the table you intend to buy, as they vary between different models.

What Bells and Whistles Should I Keep in Mind When I Make My Purchase?
Here are some extra tips on what to watch out for when making your decision.

1. Noise level – Make sure that the model you are getting won’t be too loud when making the transition from siting to standing.

2. Speed – You dont want a desk that takes forever to go up or down, since this will demotivate you to use the feature as much as you’d like.

3. Manual vs Electric – The desk can be raised manualy using a crank, or by electricly using a motor. The choise you make here will have an impact on the noise level, speed and ease of use.

The post Discover All Benefits a Standing Desk Has to Offer appeared first on Sherlocks.com.au Blog.

Should I get a new sit-stand desk or a unit that sits on top of the desk I already own?
This is largely a matter of how much space you have available. A stand-alone sit-stand desk is sure to give a whole new configuration to your desktop setup and allow you to spread out more. If, however, the space under you current desk is perfect for you, a sit-stand unit placed on your current desk might be the better investment.

Should the Sit-stand Desk be Height Adjustable?

This feature is very important since being able to adjust the height to your sit stand desktop workstation can allow you to find the perfect hight you need for every task. For example, you might want one height when writing and a different height when using your computer. Also, if your desk is being used by more than one person, it can accommodate different body sizes and workstation preferences.

How Deep of a Sit-stand Desk Should I Get?

When talking about how deep a desk should be, I am referring to the distance from its front to the back when facing it. The minimum depth you want for your sit stand desktop workstation is 76cm as this depth will give you ideal work space and allow you to spread out more.

How Important is Weight Capacity?

Most sit stand workstations are built to withstand the weight of typical desktop items, such as a phone, computer, etc. However, if you want to place some especially heavy objects on the desk, you need to find the weight limit for the table you intend to buy, as they vary between different models.

What Bells and Whistles Should I Keep in Mind When I Make My Purchase?

Here are some extra tips on what to watch out for when making your decision.

1. Noise level – Make sure that the model you are getting won’t be too loud when making the transition from siting to standing.

2. Speed – You dont want a desk that takes forever to go up or down, since this will demotivate you to use the feature as much as you’d like.

3. Manual vs Electric – The desk can be raised manualy using a crank, or by electricly using a motor. The choise you make here will have an impact on the noise level, speed and ease of use.

The post Discover All Benefits a Standing Desk Has to Offer appeared first on Sherlocks.com.au Blog.

Size

As with any furniture piece, when it comes to choosing a meeting table office space is the first factor you need to consider. After all, your conference area should be a space where everyone can move around freely, and a table that’s not the right size can easily disrupt flow. As a general rule, you should leave at least 1.5m of free space to function as a walkway around the table. Of course, you also need to consider the number of people you want the table to accommodate. Usually, one person needs at least 0.3m of space, and going by this, a rectangular table that’s 3 meters in length should accommodate 10 people at most on either side.

Shape

As any type of table office meeting tables also come in a variety of shapes, the most common of which are rectangular, square, oval, round, and modular. A table that corresponds with the overall shape and design of the room is a great way to create a balanced out look that facilitates a friendly ambiance during negotiations. For instance, if the room is elongated, oval and rectangular tables with perfectly with its design, whereas square rooms benefit from round and square shapes the most.

Material

Since it’s a valuable investment, companies will want to get the most out of the meeting table. In that sense, it’s the material the table is made of that decides how durable it is. The material should be strong enough to withstand the weight of monitors, printers, scanners, office documents, and other items that might be brought to the table. Taking this into account, tables made out of sturdy wood such as oak, walnut or maple are known to offer exceptional durability as well as a sophisticated look great for powerful first-time impressions. Metal and steel tables are also strong and durable, with the added benefit of being easy to maintain. Glass surfaces are best reserved for tables that are not very commonly used, like for instance the ones used for welcoming clients.

The post Tips to Help You Discover the Ideal Meeting Table for Your Office appeared first on Sherlocks.com.au Blog.

It’s such field professions that serve as a lesson to the importance of relying on the right set of tools to get job well done, like water resistant printer paper, and count on the desired results. Now, I know I said tools, and that’s just what paper is for geologists – a basic tool when it comes to maps, and fieldnotes like charts, sketches, notes, and drawings.

Weather can no longer be the issue for quality survey work when you can count on recyclable, wood-based water resistant printer paper, resting assured it’s designed ideally for outdoor use, so no matter whether you print or copy (make sure you buy paper suitable for printers and copiers) it can make it through even the wettest conditions, including surviving leaks, and floods.

Moving on to more field necessities, you can’t survive without the proper sample bags either. It’s equally important to adequately store, as well as transport the samples, to protect them from contamination as well as damage, so it’s advisable not to overlook the zip plastic bags, with their heavy duty puncture, tear resistant, and recycling properties. Thick polypropylene as the material they’re made of is a sign you should pile up on them.

Along with maps, technology can come in handy in the form of upgraded compasses, with plenty of useful features, as the digital type is equipped with, and of course GPS devices.

In relation to this, because you never know how long you’d actually stay outdoors, hunting for the better samples, always have a lighting source with you. LED torches and headlights can be your perfect companions when it comes to the right amount of light output, as well as battery life.

Now then, more tools! The hammer is the constant ally when collecting samples, and depending on the samples themselves you have the choice to opt for the short sledge (ideal for hunting for minerals), the chisel-pointed (perfect for fossils), or the cross-peen (your best buddy for rock splitting).

Don’t forget to choose one of the long pocket tools, in the likes of screwdriver, for the not-so-easily-reached crystals. Other indispensable tools are the shovels, preferably small ones, chisels, and punches. And, last but not least, the much-needed literature to read into whenever in doubt.

The post Geology: Discover More of the Earth with the Right Set of Tools appeared first on Sherlocks.com.au Blog.

Although there is a wide variety of patterns, colours, shapes and designs of office desks available on the market today, one particular option that proves to be the most beneficial both to the increase in productivity and overall health, is the height adjustable office desk. Let’s see why this type has become the leading one in the world of ergonomics and discuss all the benefits it offers to your well being.

Burn Calories

Sitting your day away slowly but surely takes its toll on your figure and appearance. I believe you’re not a fan of obesity and do not want to fight all those kilograms that seemed to appear from nowhere all of a sudden. Well, take a wild guess; sitting for 8-9 hours a day is one of the most common reasons for overweight. On the other side, working on a height adjustable office desk can certainly help you avoid the pitfalls of sitting all day long as it can help you burn calories faster. What am I talking about? Well, according to one calorie-burn calculator, a 80kg person burns around 970 calories in the course of an 8 hour working day. However, if working on a standing desk, the same person burns around 1300 calories. Do the calculations and you’ll realize there’s a difference of about 330 calories, which translated in gym activities, is spending a half hour on the elliptical machine. Save yourself the pain and time.

Longer Lifespan

Did you know that you can actually live longer simply by sitting down less and standing up more? Many studies have shown that people who are more active have a longer life expectancy than those who lead a sedentary life, which is a reason plus go for a height adjustable office desk than a standard, sit-down one. One of the worst things about sitting down for longer periods of time is that as you sit, fat accumulates in your liver, heart, brain and other organs. Moreover, your muscles lose their definition and tone and your body gets tired more easily. Therefore, there is a much greater potential for weight gain for workers who sit all day long.

Better Ergonomics

You’re aware that sitting is not a natural position, right? Therefore, sitting for extended periods of time behind a desk can cause a variety of problems such as neck and shoulder pain, backaches, sciatica, leg cramps, vision issues and headaches. Nevertheless, standing all day can be a painful thing to do too, especially if you’re not used to doing it. For that reason, a height adjustable standing desk is the best choice to keep you safe from harm. This type of desk will make you feel better, hence work better and be more productive. Moreover, it provides you with an easier access to your office equipment, team members and supply rooms.

I strongly advise you to try these heavenly pieces of office furniture for the sake of your well being. Take care of your body – it is the only place you have to live in.

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The post Discover the Hype Factor Behind Height Adjustable Office Desks appeared first on Sherlocks.com.au Blog.