Hot Seat: Computer Office Chair

A well-adjusted chair can do wonders to your productivity level, if you so desire. It reduces a number of things. The strain on your back, the comfort of working in an environment that makes you feel that working is fun, and I'll second that.

Always notice the distance of the monitor and your sitting position. You need to be at least 12-30 inches away from your workstation to save your eyes. Use a chair that can be adjusted according to your height. You’ll feel a little heightened, but its worth it, because you don’t put in unnecessary pressure on your back. Also ensure that your knees and you hips are in the same line. It doesn’t matter what shape you belong to as long as these are in the right position.

In order to prevent back injury, you should be sitting up straight while at your desk. If your chair isn't providing enough back support, try using a rolled up towel or cushion until you find a position that's comfortable for you - then adjust the chair accordingly.

Now that you've got your chair correctly positioned, take a look at your feet. Are they flat on the floor? If not, you may want to consider getting a footrest. This will relieve any pressure on your joints and muscles. It's important that you avoid crossing your legs or sitting with one (or both) legs twisted beneath you. This not only disturbs your gaze to and for, but also give you numb feet after a period of time.

Actually there is a counter argument says that because your calf muscles are pointed towards the ground, you need to give them a rest and by sitting on one leg, you can let the blood circulation shift its position. To that effect until recently most books prescribed this to be one of the many ideal positions. Well the logic is that when you sit on one leg, its possible that you block the flow of blood and there fore get numb in no time. You could use a rest for your feet but remember, it should be placed in a position that helps you feel comfortable and also places you feet on the same level.

While being comfortable is about using the right chair and the comfort of your legs placed, utmost comfort can arrive by simply taking short breaks from time to time. Moving your gaze away from the screen can also help you in more ways than one. After all its not your feet and sitting positions that need to be adjusted. If you feel your monitor is not placed at an accurate height, you could adjust that too. Sometimes people place a small pillow in the back of the chair for additional comfort. Most high profiled secretaries do this as they have to work their way for hours together. You could place this under the lock and keep of your cubicle.

Radiation and you
Incidentally no one talks about skin while you are at work. Wondering why… I’ll tell you. Most of your time is spent in front of the screen. It may be any screen, either your computer or even the screen of an overhead projector. What you are most often prone to is a horribly dry skin syndrome. I call it a syndrome, because it makes the one listening feel that you’re talking about something serious. First lets understand why this happens.

As it was mentioned earlier, every computer screen emits some sort of radiation, despite the films of covers you might use for anti-glare purposes. I’d suggest that you also equip yourself with an anti-glare spectacle for additional comfort. Use the best coating available, especially because it’s your eyes that are going to be affected. I’d suggest an Essilor coating for your glasses. It makes you feel lighter despite the heavy radiation. Coming back to skin…

Before sitting in front of the computer, wash your face with a mild face wash and please coat it with a moisturizer. There are two things that typically happen along with your skin turning dry, you can also get de-hydrated. Drink as much water as possible throughout the day. The air conditioning and the radiation acts as a slow poison for your skin giving it a permanent dry cover which is hard to get rid of.

Drinking water constantly also keep your cells fresh and replenished with water as remember, about seventy per cent of your body comprises of water. Working in an office environment, make sure that you make yourself absolutely comfortable as possible, because comfort of yourself can ease you and bring out the best out of you in terms of productivity. I’d go a bit further in this issue of comfort and mention that it’s best for women to keep a spare undergarment, after all if you are going to gulp down liters of water every hours, it does have to get its outlet too right!