Life In The Cube: A Guide To Cubicle Comfort

Stuck in a cubicle all day? Not to worry! In today's post we've outlined the tips, products, and advice needed to get you working effectively. From using your office chair properly to adding the right ergonomic accessories, the days of discomfort in the workplace are about to be a thing of the past!

Use Your Office Chair Properly

All too often office employees are stuck dealing with an inherited office chair that just doesn't cut it. That being said, if a new chair is out of the question, simple steps can be taken to boost your comfort. Start by determining the type, model, or style of chair you have. Take a quick pic if possible as a reference. Next, contact a reputable seating manufacturer and provide them with the best info you can on your specific chair. Ask about the adjustable features and obtaining instructions on proper use if available. Educating yourself on the benefits your chair offers and how to use them properly will help you find easily achieved support in a hurry. In most cases, simply adjusting your chairs height, arms, and back angle will make life in the cube much easier!

Get Organized

Take a look around your office. You'll no doubt notice a variety of clean and cluttered cubicles. During your visual scan take a look at the workers of each associated cubicle. Upon inspection you should notice that those with clean work spaces are working far more productively than those covered in clutter. Take the time to create a plan of attack for your own space and get started. Start by clearing your worksurface of unnecessary items, removing trash, and doing some basic cleaning. Next organize your file cabinets and office storage components using a system that works for you. Remember, getting organized is helpful, but keeping it that way provides long term benefits that lead to office success and comfortable work days.

Deskercise

Feeling a bit cramped in your cubicle? Don't hesitate to stand up and stretch every now and then. A variety of simple and easy deskercise activities are widely available online that will help you improve blood flow, motivation, and work day comfort. While simply stretching will do in most cases, taking a short walk might also be a good idea to help relieve some stress and anxiety generated from long days in your cubicle.

Eat Healthy

The power of a healthy lunch should not be under estimated. Eating fresh fruits, vegetables, and energy boosting foods will no doubt keep you working more efficiently than you would be after chomping down that double bacon burger. As fatigue is a common problem in the workplace that greatly relates to discomfort, foods packed with vitamins and nutritious benefits are a must. Try looking up some simple recipes and healthy eateries in close proximity to your office. Go healthy for one week and there will be no turning back!

Go Ergo

When all else fails, go ergo! The right combination of ergonomic office accessories will help you maximize your functionality and effectiveness in the workplace. Products like ergonomic monitor arms, foot rests, and adjustable workstations are all highly recommended my heath care professionals and provide excellent benefits that will no doubt be appreciated by any user. Basic ergonomic accessories like retractable keyboard trays cost under $200 and will improve your computing posture and blood flow while simultaneously helping you type faster throughout the day. The helpful ergonomic products available on the market today are simply to long. Try contacting an ergonomic products specialist or physician to help determine what products will work right for you. In the end, it's all about meeting your specific needs to achieve your peak comfort levels!

Read more »

Mr. Ergo Vs. Mr. Not: A Fun Guide To Proper Ergonomic Product Usage

We all know the importance of using high quality ergonomic products in the workplace. That being said, being an ergonomic guru goes far beyond adding the latest and greatest products. The proper useage of ergonomic items will no doubt help you achieve peak levels of performance in the workplace, while simply adding the latest and greatest devices without the proper knowledge will yield minimal results. In today's post we decided to have a bit of fun while comparing how Mr. Ergo would use products and how Mr. Not falls short. Enjoy!


Ergonomic Keyboard Tray

Mr. Ergo cares about improving his overall productivity in the workplace. He properly installs his new keyboard tray under his worksurface while following the instructions carefully. Upon installation, Mr. Ergo takes the time to research and review his products features in order to better educate himself. Mr. Ergo regularly adjusts his keyboard tray to meet his specific work style and enjoys a far more comfortable work day.

Unfortunately, Mr. Not breaks into the packaging and begins his installation process without following the much needed instructions. Once frustrated with his lack of progress, he hunts through the packaging materials in search of the instructions. Two hours later, Mr. Not's keyboard tray is installed and he goes about his work day. Eventually, Mr. Not figures out that his keyboard tray actually adjusts but never takes the time to figure out how the adjustments will benefit him. In the end, poor Mr. Not is left with a quality keyboard tray he doesn't understand and utilize properly, thus resulting in underachievement in the workplace.

Ergonomic Chair

Mr. Ergo is excited to browse the web for high quality ergonomic office chairs designed for his specific needs. He takes the time to research features that will actually improve his work day, sets a budget, and begins to shop. In all his wisdom, Mr. Ergo settles on a cost effective model and purchases it accordingly. He found a coupon for additional savings and a website offering free shipping as a bonus. Once his chair arrives, Mr. Ergo follows the instructions once again and assembles his new chair flawlessly. As Mr. Ergo has already taken the time to review his chair features, he begins testing the adjustments and finds himself working at a much higher level of comfort. In the future, Mr. Ergo isn't afraid to adjust his chair in any situation. He doesn't settle for one sit style as he values the versatility of his investment and maximizes it's potential.

Always in a rush, Mr. Not hops online and searches for the most expensive office chairs money can buy. He assumes that as the chair costs more, it must be better. Mr. Not overpays for a very high quality office chair he has absolutely no knowledge of and thinks he's ahead of the curve. Two weeks pass and Mr. Not is wondering why his chair hasn't arrived. He calls his dealer and discovers that his specialized ergo chair is a made to order product and takes two months to manufacturer. He decides to wait as he's convinced he's made an excellent decision. The chair finally arrives and Mr. Not assembles it instruction free with minimal headaches. He boasts loudly of his achievement and gathers a crowd around his workstation. Showing off his luxury chair, he begins pulling random levers to show it's "features". Caught up in all his glory, a poorly tightened screw gives way and Mr. Not is now flat on his back with a chair in pieces. Mr. Ergo remarks from over his cubicle wall... "Should of read those instructions".

Ergonomic Monitor Arm

While Mr. Ergo is working effectively with his new keyboard tray and ergonomic chair, he decides it's time to take his office adjustment capability to a whole new level. He calls his online ergonomic product specialist direct as a now repeat customer to discuss his needs. A helpful employee recommends a dual screen monitor arm and educates Mr. Ergo on the helpful features and benefits they have to offer. Mr. ergo browses the monitor mounts for two screens offered online and chooses a reputable model that fits his needs and budget. He's happy to report earning a repeat customer coupon for even greater savings and a smart buy he can be proud of. The monitor arm arrives and Mr. Ergo is pleased. He breaks out the the instructions and has his new ergo device up and running in no time. He properly mounts the screens once the arm is installed via a clamp mount on the back of his desk. He re checks the screws, routes his wires properly, and sets the movement tension to a desirable level. In the end, Mr. Ergo is not fully optimized for an efficient work day with his keyboard tray, ergonomic chair, and dual screen monitor arm.

Mr. Not sees that Mr. Ergo has added a fancy dual screen monitor arm. In attempt to regain ergonomic glory in the workplace he decides to one up Mr. Ergo and purchases a 4 screen monitor mounting system as more is always better, right? Wrong! With a lack of product knowledge, Mr. Not finds himself with a major headache on his hands. To proud to ask for help, he mounts his screens upside down but doesn't know. Once he's "finished" with his install he calls over to Mr. Ergo to take a look. Mr. Not then powers up his computer and notices the screens are upside down. He's also underestimated the size of the unit and now has an overly crowded desk space that's nearly unusable. Mr. Ergo takes pity on his underachieving friend and lends a hand with the do-over installation. It turns out, the two become friends during the process and Mr. Ergo takes a few minutes per day to educate his fellow coworker on the value of proper ergonomics in the workplace.

Read more »