Whether working from home or in the office, one thing you can’t compromise is the quality of your office chair. It must be comfortable; otherwise, it would negatively affect your work. On average, workers spend 40 hours per week in the office, and that is too long a time to be miserable on an uncomfortable chair.
To make your office chair more comfortable, adjust the height to ensure that your feet can still touch the ground firmly whenever you sit upright. Add a lumbar pillow if it lacks good lumbar support, add a seat cushion for comfort, and get good armrest pads to support both arms.
If you’re using a non-adjustable chair and the simple tweaks do not make any difference to your comfort, you might want to get an ergonomic chair and customize it to your taste.
We’ve devised five ways to make your office chair more comfortable without spending too much. We also explained the factors you should consider when buying a suitable office chair.
Method #1: Adjust the Chair Height
No matter how comfortable a chair may look, you’ll not enjoy using it if the height doesn’t fit. When sitting on your office chair, the height must be comfortable enough to place both feet firmly on the ground. Having your feet on the ground while sitting improves blood circulation from the thighs to the feet and prevents you from feeling numb.
The proper sitting posture has your knees at a ninety-degree angle and should be at the same height or a little lower than your hips. Your feet will dangle in the air if the chair is too high. However, if the chair is too low, your knees will be positioned higher than your hips, causing unnecessary strain to your hips, thighs, and knees.
If you can’t adjust your chair’s height, get a footrest and place it under your feet.
Method #2: Get Good Armrest Pads
Some chairs have wooden or plastic armrests, while others have none. If your chair does not have an armrest design, you should consider getting a better chair. As for those with wooden or plastic armrests, you can get good armrest pads made of quality foam to provide comfort and support to your arms while you work.
Method #3: Lumbar Support
If you constantly experience lower back pain whenever you get up from your chair after hours of sitting, the lumbar support is not good enough.
A comfortable lumbar pillow attached to your chair can make a lot of difference. And it would only cost a fraction of what you’ll spend on treating your constant lower back pain.
Method #4: Adjust the Recline
While typing, you don’t want to recline too much as it would unnecessarily strain your back and eyes. We recommend that you tilt the chair to 110 degrees, making it comfortable for you to rest your neck and work simultaneously.
Of course, this only makes sense if you’re using an adjustable chair. If your chair is rigid, you should consider getting a new and improved one.
Method #5: Add a Seat Cushion
Seat cushions are non-negotiable if you spend a long time on your office chair. Seat cushions provide support and comfort and help provide balance if the chair height is too short for you.
Invest in an Ergonomic Chair
Is your office chair so rigid that you’re barely comfortable on it despite the number of external adjustments made? Maybe it’s time to get a new chair.
If your chair is so uncomfortable that you keep fidgeting every few minutes, you won’t be able to concentrate and deliver quality work. Buy an ergonomic chair with good lumbar support, adjustable height and recline, comfortable armrest pads, quality cushion, and good seat depth.
You should also be able to swivel and move from one spot to another without getting up from the chair. The right chair might be costly, but you shouldn’t put a price on your comfort.
The human body is not designed to sit for extremely long hours. Therefore, no matter how comfortable your chair is, try to get up once in a while and stretch your legs or take a short walk. This would help with blood circulation, help you maintain good posture, and prevent strain or pain in your joints.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the quality of your office chair should depend on how long you plan to spend on it. If your work involves spending long hours on the chair every day, you should spare no effort to make the chair as comfortable as possible. And it doesn’t even have to cost too much. If the cost is a little high, consider it a long-term investment that would yield bountiful rewards. It might just be an office chair, but the quality of your work, comfort, and health depend on your choice.
