Ergonomically correct sitting position
Are you sitting in an ergonomically correct sitting position as you read this? Are you hunching your back and slumping? Are your legs crossed so that you don't have optimal blood circulation? Is there unnecessary pressure on your pelvis? There is most likely unnecessary pressure that you don't even think about.
Sitting too much is not good for anyone. However, many people have sedentary office jobs that don't allow much other than sitting. Sitting too much leads to many physical problems, lifestyle diseases, etc. It is therefore particularly important that when you sit down, you sit ergonomically correctly.
Vary your sitting position
There is no definitive correct sitting position. How to sit properly varies from person to person. The most important thing is that you vary your sitting position throughout the day.
We are not designed to sit all day. We get tired, we get sore and we get physical injuries. If you, like many others, sit all day at work, there are a number of ways you can change your sitting position and get variety throughout the day.
- Change chair or table height
- Crossed legs are a no-go
- Changing position on the chair
- Raise your chair if your shoulders are hunched up.
- Move your screen
- Changing distance to screen
- Put your hands down.
- Work standing during the day (elevating tables)
- Walking/standing meetings
The ergonomically correct sitting position
When you need to sit ergonomically correctly, you can follow some very simple steps:
- Your feet should be flat on the ground.
- Your arms and legs should be at a 90-degree angle
- The table should be a few centimeters higher than your elbow.
- Avoid sitting with your legs crossed.
- There should be room for one hand between the back of your knee and the edge of the chair.
- Avoid using the armrest unless your arms are placed at a 90-degree angle
- Variety – get up, go for a walk
Ergonomically correct office chair
Even though we don't make office chairs, we naturally have a few tips for you so you can sit properly both at home and in the office.
If you need to sit properly at work (and of course you do), then it doesn't really matter which office chair you sit on. The office chair must meet some specific requirements.
One thing your office chair should have is 5 legs with wheels. This way you sit stable and can move around quickly and effortlessly. A chair mat can provide even easier and more fluid movement – and you won't scratch the floor either.
It is important that you can adjust the seat height, depth and backrest so that the chair fits your height and the curvature of your lower back. The backrest should support your lower back and should not be higher than your shoulders. You should always sit with a straight back – but you should be careful not to sit hunched over.
Is there one right way to sit?
The short answer is no. There is no one definitive way that is the correct way.
How can that be?
The reason there is no one right way is that it is not just about how you sit. It is just as much about whether you get the necessary variation and, not least, a chair that has the right shape and dimensions for you.
We humans are not designed to sit down all day, so the most important thing to take away from this post is to vary your sitting position, stand up during the day, and find a chair that is comfortable for you.
