- SittingPosture.com

What are Ergonomics?

The definition on ergonomics is “the study of people’s efficiency in their working environment” (definition credit: Google/Oxford Languages). Ergonomics are much more than just posture. Posture is the position of a person’s body. In our case, the position we are in while sitting or standing at a computer workstation. Posture is an important variable. But when we add the variable of working for an extended period of time, it’s important that our ergonomics aims at a well-rounded practice of multiple variables.

What are Ergonomics?

Sitting and standing at a computer for long periods of time delivers a high risk of injury. It’s up to us to ensure we are working in a safe working environment. I understand that sometimes we are at the mercy of external factors. A lot of work just has to be done on a computer. Often, there is a lot of that work. This requires us to work in the same vulnerable position for long periods of time, which brings an increased risk of injury. However, there are plenty of human factors we can practice in order to maintain safe work at a computer. Today, I’ll talk about 4 subtopics of computer ergonomics that are very important for safety and health. They are sleep, breathing, hydration, and posture.

4 Rookie Mistakes That Made My Posture Much Worse

Sitting at a computer desk caused the most stubborn injuries I’ve ever had. Speaking from experience, poor posture from sitting can lead to long term muscle pain and tension. Neck and back pain were the most noticeable for me. But I also had a lot of issues with my legs, arms, neck and shoulders.

The good news is, improving your posture doesn’t always require going to the physical therapist. The goal is to implement the most good habits into our daily routine, that will make the biggest improvement over time.

woman sitting that could make her Posture Much Worse — Photo by Andrea-Piacquadio via Pexels

Nothing on my website is medical advice. I share my experience, what has worked for me, and what hasn’t. I talk about the common posture mistakes I’ve fixed and the good posture habits I’ve learned.

You are your primary caretaker. Not your doctor, therapist, surgeon, coach, or physical therapist. They all play a role. But they also have their own agenda and their own motivation that’s not always in our best interest, regardless if it’s intentional or not. Do your research and make your own good decisions. Be the best advocate possible for your own healthcare.

Basic Computer Ergonomics

Office ergonomics involve many different variables. Obviously, posture and body positions are major factors. Others include hydration and sleeping habits. Following these simple protocols directly improved my workstation ergonomics. Anything that improves someone’s efficiency in their work environment can be classified under the term ergonomics. Some of these habits take place while we are physically in our work environment. Some of these can take place while we are not in our work environment. All of them directly improved my sitting posture, as well as my general overall health.

Basic Computer Ergonomics

ergonomics meaning for Computer Ergonomics

Posture and body positions

Years ago, I took full accountability of the poor posture I had in my work environment. I changed various workstation and computer ergonomics related to my computer screen.

The first thing I did was replace my very old monitor with a newer, larger monitor. This reduced my eye strain in a big way. That change obviously won’t apply to everyone, but it made a huge improvement for me because my monitor was very small and outdated.

How Much Water Do I Need To Drink Per Day

The amount of water I drink (or don’t drink) is directly connected to the extent of my repetitive strain injuries caused by sitting at a desk. When I’m dehydrated, my muscles tense up and tighten much quicker, causing my posture to suffer. When I stay hydrated throughout the day, my posture is always easier to maintain. Improved posture is just one of the benefits of drinking water for me.

“90% of people are actually chronically dehydrated.” -Chris Powell, ABC’s Extreme Weight Loss

How much water do I need to drink per day blog post cover

Disclaimer: The info in this article is not medical advice. I talk about my experience of what worked best for me. Be the best advocate possible for your own health. Do research, make decisions that are best for you, and consult a doctor when necessary.

Dear desk jockeys, (an open letter)

Dear desk jockeys,

We sit at a computer desk 40+ hours per week. The human body wasn’t designed to do that. It actually wasn’t designed to be in ANY one (same) position that long. It’s only going to cause massive pain and dysfunction in our bodies.

As desk jockeys, it’s not our fault. But, it IS our responsibility to adapt, change, and heal.

Many years ago, it was a fascinating new concept to sit at a computer desk and make a living. People realized they could pay for a house, cars, all their bills while not even getting out of their chair. They realized they hardly had to move at work anymore. Work was going to be great and life was going to change tremendously. They were right about one of those.