Use These Office Life Hacks for A More Comfortable Work Day

Few folks realize that office-related pain is a very widespread problem. Back pain, sore necks, aching wrists and joints - it's often due to those long, stagnant days at the office. Unfortunately, sometimes those problems can develop into something serious down the road, but don't worry. We've got all the latest tips and tricks to help keep you comfortable and relaxed all day long. Adjust those monitors and swivel those chairs! Today's article is chock-full of life hacks for a more comfortable work day!

Stay Eye Level with Your Computer

We've touched on this one before in previous articles, but the importance of this little trick never gets old. An improperly placed computer screen can cause all kinds of ailments for the regular office computer user. Headaches, migraines, upper back pain, neck pain, sore muscles, and eye strain can all result from constantly having to tilt or twist to see a computer screen. Investing in monitor arms with adjustability is one of the best ways to combat this. These devices can mount to walls or desks, where they hold one or more computer screens upright on adjustable arms.

Make sure the top of your computer screen is no lower than your eye level is looking straight ahead, sitting upright. About 1 and 1/2 to 2 feet is the standard distance for healthy viewing of your computer screen. Don't forget to take frequent breaks, looking at something else, to keep your eyes from working too hard.

Adjust Your Office Chair

Almost all office chairs offer some form of ergonomic capabilities nowadays, and chances are, yours probably does too. Even the cheapest ergonomic mesh chairs usually have tilt tension controls and height adjustment features if nothing else, both of which are important to a healthy office lifestyle. Traditionally, a good chair is properly adjusted when a user can sit upright, with the back in it's most natural resting state (not slouching), elbows and knees bent at right angles, with feet flat on the floor.

Take the time to sit down, assess your needs, and adjust your office chair accordingly. Good features to check for are tilt tension control (or tension adjustment), seat height, seat depth, tilt locks, adjustable arms, and adjustable lumbar support. Some ergonomic seats have more detailed features than others. We recommend looking up the make and model of your chair online and reading up on all the things it can do.

* For quick fixes, here's some good guesses at where to find adjustable features on most chairs:

Tilt tension/ tension adjustment = Usually on the side of the chair, often under the seat as a knob; this adjusts the resistance the chair's back gives when you lean back into it.

Tilt Locks = A switch or lever will lock the chair's tilt range in place. Usually the lock is next to where the tilt tension adjustment is.

Seat height = Most commonly, a lever on the side of the chair, just under the seat.

Seat depth = Not all chairs offer this, but those that do have varied spots for adjustment. A backrest slide typically has a knob on the back of the seat where the backrest attaches. A seat slide will have a knob under the seat on one of the sides, or a lever in front.

Adjustable arms = Can be adjusted with levers or knobs on the arms, but most common, adjustment is manually done by gently pulling on the armrests.

Adjustable Lumbar = May be a manual adjustment or a slide-able one typically on back of chair. Some lumbar chairs are adjusted by a squeezable air pump attached under the chair's seat.

Let There Be (Correct) Lighting

Ironically, computer related eye strain is most commonly caused either by too much or too little ambient lighting, not usually by the computer itself. Of course, if the computer screen itself is too bright, problems may also present themselves that way. The most important thing to know is that human eyes are only evolved to take in so much light at once. Overloading those limits can cause the eye pain many of us are all too familiar with.

Some tricks to battling eye strain are to take note of your surroundings. If your office has big fluorescent lights, see if the boss will let you turn a few of them off. If not, go into your computer's settings. Most have an adjustable brightness option where you can lower the brightness of the screen. If you can't find it, engaging the computer's energy saving mode may lower brightness in order to save power.

If eye strain is a problem at home or in your personal office, another good trick is to invest in personal office desk lamps rather than keeping the bigger lights on. Small lamps provide better ambient lighting for computer use because they keep users awake while not emitting too much light. Work still gets done, and pain is a thing of the past!

Stretch and Deskercise

Here's a comfortable office life hack that doesn't have to cost you a thing. If you suffer from tight muscles or back pain at the office, sometimes the best thing to do is to stretch out! Ever since the working world has become more sedentary, health nuts everywhere have been developing stretches and exercises for office workers to stay in shape. Look up a few good "deskercises" on Google to do during break. Taking a short 3 minute break every half hour or so will allow you to perform some refreshing office chair stretches to limber up.

For the pros, companies like Eurotech have actually come out with zen-inducing chairs to help with deskercises. Chairs like the ergonomic Chakra chair offer light and airy support without putting stress on the body. Although the one here is the Chakra-Pink-Gray, the chairs are offered in five colors. They're perfect for health nuts, athletes, yoga fans, and anyone in need of a calmer work day!

Lumbar Support

Unfortunately, not every chair provides sufficient lumbar support - even the expensive ones. However, it is super important to keep your back as much in it's natural S-shape as possible. The spine is healthiest in the standing position, which is often why doctors stress the importance of proper posture. Standing desks and affordable kneeling chairs improve health by keeping the back as naturally curved as possible. But, for those that don't want to practice an entirely different work style (and don't want to spring for a height adjustable desk) ensuring lumbar support is the next best thing. Check to see if your chair has a feature for lumbar, and if not, pick one that does when next you shop. Another good trick is to bring a simple pillow or rolled-up sweater to place behind your lower back. Your body will thank you later!

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Get Ergofied On A Budget!

Is your office ergofied? Perhaps the better question is, are your working comfortably and efficiently throughout your workday? If not, it's time for a change. In 2014, creating an ergonomically effective work environment is more achievable than ever. In today's post we'll highlight the versatile products you need to take your work life to the peak of ergo performance... without breaking the bank!

The most essential part of any professional office space is the desk and workstation. A wide selection of ergonomic desks that adjust are now available from top brands that won't break your office makeover budget. Manufacturers like Global Total Office, Ergonomic Concepts, and Mayline all offer hand crank and electronic height assist desks that allow users to quickly switch from sitting to standing work positions. Adjustable ergo desks are great for those suffering from back pain and add an extra element of versatility to any space. Quality models from each of the above brands range from around $700 to $1500 depending on your specific space requirements. When compared to traditional desks for executive office use, this price point is spot on!

Once you've chosen a ergonomically effective command center for your home or business workspace, it's time to think about purchasing a quality chair. The best ergonomic chairs for sale in 2014 offer features like lumbar support, arm adjustability, bank angle, and much more to ensure a comfortable computing experience. When it comes to ergo chairs, it's hard to top the solutions from brands like Eurotech Seating and Global Total Office. These two industry leaders offer solutions starting around $200 that won't let you down. While high dollar chairs for executives are widely available, creating a properly ergofied space doesn't mean you need to spend a fortune. Excellent chairs with features once though of as a luxury are now becoming the industry standard. That being said, extend your budget by choosing a quality chair with the same features at a fraction of the price! Great ways to save include going with a synthetic leather upholstery, shopping mesh back models, and inquiring about current specials and free shipping promotions.


Now that we've handled the desk and chair combination, it's time to accessorize! Any ergo specialist will tell you that the right combination of ergonomic office accessories will drastically improve your workplace performance. That doesn't mean you should rush out to purchase every product on the market. Take the time to research popular ergonomic products for office use and select items you feel you can actually benefit from. We've highlighted three of our favorites in below.

Retractable keyboard trays are affordable and extremely helpful. Brands like ESI, Symmetry, and Systematix all offer excellent tray and articulating arm combos for under $200. Using a quality keyboard tray setup will help to improve your work posture while simultaneously creating more usable desk space when compared to the old ways of just sitting your keyboard on the desk top! Needless to say, an adjustable keyboard platform with articulating arm setup is a must for any properly ergofied space.

Still working with one monitor? It's time to revolutionize your work style! Another product once thought of as a high tech luxury, monitor mounts for 2 screens are now becoming the industry standard. Units like the EDGE2 mount from ESI offer users the ability to install easily via a clamp or grommet system. These dual screen setups are sure to improve your computing speed while offering a wide range of adjustment capabilities for customizable performance. Like with ergo keyboard trays, dual screen mounts also help to free up usable desk space.

Last but certainly not least, CPU holders are a great way ergofy your space while improving your security. These affordable systems come in a vertical or horizontal mounting styles and help to keep your computers power source off the ground. Protect your self against outside factors like theft and water damage while enhancing your ergo appeal. Not sure if you need a CPU holder? No problem! Ever accidentally kick your CPU when getting settled in at your desk? This can be quite damaging. Tired of those adventures under the desk to plug in wires or install new devices? Talk about frustrating! A cost effective CPU holder like the CPULOCK-K model from ESI will help prevent these common office headaches while providing easy access to your command centers power source. At just over $100, adding this product is a no brainer.

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10 Ways to Get Comfortable At Work in 2014

Sometimes getting comfortable at work can be a pain - literally. Problems like office aches, inability to focus, chatty co-workers, and stress can take a huge toll on your productivity in the office. Happiness is an important part of life, and in a career, it's the key to staying healthy and ready for each day. If you find yourself run down, bored, tired, or just plain overworked, here's a few tips and tricks to help you reach your greatest potential. Remember, it's all about balance!

Get Enough Sleep

Sleep is the key to successful cognitive function. The body uses bedtime as a time to recharge, just like the way most people turn their phone off so it recharges faster. Energy drinks can certainly wake you up with a buzz, but they don't offer your body the same opportunity to digest food and build up the immune system. When we sleep, the brain has the opportunity to go back and sort through all the information we gather during the day; it keeps the important, like knowing what appointments you made, and tosses the unimportant, like the color of a co-worker's shirt. According to WebMD, sleep has also been linked to weight loss, largely because lack of sleep causes hormonal imbalances that cause us to gain weight. Sleep is just one of the many keys to living a happy, healthy life. Be sure you give yourself the time to snooze!

Eat Right

There's no way around it. Eating the right foods is another key to successful cognitive function at work and at home. Having a balanced diet that fits your needs and the amount of exercise you get does wonders for awareness, mood, focus, and energy. If you find yourself nodding off at the office, be sure to start the next day and every day after with a smart breakfast. WebMD says things like yogurt, eggs, avocados, fruit (especially blueberries), salmon, whole wheat bread, nuts, and even a bit of dark chocolate all make wonderful, high protein breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack foods that all help to improve concentration and productivity at work. Instead of heading straight for the coffee, buy a few bags of your favorite frozen fruits and veggies, toss them in the blender and make a smoothie for breakfast, and don't be afraid to go healthy in your other meals either. It will be a nice change up, and we promise you'll feel all the better for it.

Stretch

Stretching is actually a surprising way to burn calories, retain focus, and improve overall health in many ways. Taking a few minutes at the start of each day just to extend the muscles a bit loosens them up and prepares the body for a long day of activity. Just the act of stretching can help wake a person up. You may even decide to go for a quick jog or a brisk walk to get yourself ready for the day. Taking a five minute break at work to stretch every hour can also improve cognition and health in the office. Even if this simple act does wonders for the body though, there are many rules for rigorous stretching that should be looked up beforehand if you plant to stretch cold muscles, so look them up first.

Add a Desk Plant

This may sound like a weird trick, but keeping a small desk plant in the office brings all sorts of health benefits to anyone who keeps one. Desk plants like golden pothos, gardenias, peace lilies, and spider plants are all beautiful, low-maintenance plants that can handle a few forgotten waterings here and there. In addition, each one is super adept at improving air quality by removing harmful VOCs, or volatile organic compounds. Studies by universities like Penn State, Rutgers, the University of Hawaii, and even NASA have all shown these plants to be the best for indoor environments because they improve air quality so well. Those who keep them often report better focus and easier breathing, so they are ideal for elderly individuals. Adding a little greenery can also liven up the look of your workspace. Humans have been outdoors a lot longer than they've been sitting at office desks. Don't be afraid to bring the outside in!

Open the Windows

Bringing in the outdoors also holds true for this next tip as well. Opening the windows is a great way to improve indoor air quality if you live in the suburbs or rural areas away from the city. Often, sounds of the birds and the wind can vastly improve mood for those that like the outdoors. It can help create the illusion of time moving faster, and bring in some fresh air for free if you don't want to pay for or spend time taking car of a desk plant. Open windows removes any potential odors, and may help cool the office down or warm it up depending on the season. It's almost like keeping discount air purifiers for work applications in the office (which by the way is a great substitute if open windows aren't an option for you). If you're feeling blue at the office, or that you don't have enough time to spend around nature, opening the windows may help do the trick!

Organize Your Workspace

Now that you have a healthy body, it's time to get started at that desk. However, trying to work through a mess results in hugely diminished inefficiency in the office. Choose a day or two to stay after work for a bit of spring cleaning where you organize your space. Toss old papers and phone numbers that aren't in use or file them away for safe-keeping. Organize tools like pens and staplers in an efficient manner. A good rule of thumb is if you use it a lot, keep it on the desk, if not, keep it in a drawer. Try to build a habit structure where you put things away right after using them. For many, using modern office desks with modular design helps them keep everything at arms' reach. It only takes twenty-one days to build a habit they say. The sooner you start, the sooner you'll get there!

Improve Office Lighting

For those that work at office desks, a lack of lighting can be very destructive to productivity. If you spend a lot of time reading paper at the office, too little lighting can strain the eyes, just the same as the bright lights of a computer screen could. Human eyes are only capable of handling so much light. Overloading them or not providing them with a sufficient amount can cause stress, pain, or even injury to the eye. If you read more bright computer screens, less ambient light is the better way to go. Dimming the blinds and shutting off the overhead lamp will help reduce computer eye strain. If you read more paper, be sure you have plenty of light to work by. Letting in some sunlight and brightening up the workspace with efficient lighting for office use will improve both eye health and mood!

Add an Adjustable Keyboard Tray

Got joint pain? If you've got it in the wrists, one of the best ways to solve it is with the addition of a keyboard tray. Adding adjustable keyboard trays for desk applications allows the users to set the height and tilt of they're computer keyboards. Often, these trays mount easily on sliders underneath office desks so they are retractable. Ideally, they're set at arm level when the arms are at right angles, and titled so they are parallel with the wrists and hands for maximum blood flow, which reduces swelling and relives pain. They are wonderful tools for anyone working at an office desks, and they provide all sorts of healing and health benefits. As if that weren't enough, they also leave more room for desk space!

Add a Monitor Arm

If you experience neck pain at the office, it could be because your computer isn't in the right spot. If you spend all day staring at a computer screen or other object, it's best if that object is directly in front of your head, about a foot and a half to two feet away when sitting upright, looking straight ahead. Neck pain is caused by muscles that have moved and adjusted unevenly over time when a person spends hours staring at an object that is improperly placed relative to their eyes, which more often than not is a computer. The good news is that adding adjustable monitor arms for computers can solve all of this! These nifty devices can mount to walls or desks to support a computer monitor (or many if need be). They can be adjusted by height, tilt, and length of reach for maximum potential, and are a huge help to those that suffer from neck pain, upper back problems, or computer eye strain.

Pick an Ergonomic Office Chair

Choosing to add affordable ergonomic chairs for office use can be one of the best decisions a manager can make to help his employees. These chairs are built for pain relief and ideally designed to help improve focus and function in the workplace. Ergonomic chairs rely on the studies conducted by ergonomic engineers and scientists, whose whole field goes to understanding the need for comfort and productivity in the workspace. Chairs can be bought at varying prices, from tens of dollars to hundreds depending on need, but every one is incredibly comfortable and super efficient. Users can find them upholstered in mesh, leather, fabric, or vinyl, and with specified health benefits such as joint pain relief or superior lumbar support. Few users that buy one ever regret their decision, and with so many chairs to pick one, the hardest part is just choosing.

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5 Helpful Items Your Office Is Missing

Most of us love our office spaces, especially if we designed them ourselves. Being able to pick your own desk and office chair, and decking out a place to fit your style is one of the best aspects getting your very own workspace. Unfortunately, many offices lack the items many experts consider essential. Most of the time, a simple desk and chair are just not enough, and choosing the wrong ones for what you need can lead to decreased efficiency, productivity, and even health. But never fear! Here's a list of the top five helpful items your office is probably missing.

Desk Plant

You may be thinking, "Really? A desk plant?" but hear us out on this one. Many studies by reputable universities have conducted research that shows the benefits desk plants can provide in a work environment. People that keep certain plants in their office have reported more energy and clearer thinking than people who don't. Studies by the universities of Hawaii, Minnesota, Rutgers, and Penn State, and government organizations like NASA have shown that some low-maintenance greenery like peace lilies, spider plants, lemon balms, and gardenias are incredibly adept at removing harmful substances from indoor air. The plants absorb the toxins like VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) and replenish your office atmosphere with fresh oxygen, which allows most people to think and breathe much easier. Keeping a desk buddy like a pot of golden pothos in your office gives your office a look of vibrance and energy in more ways than one, and all of the plants listed here require very little maintenance. We highly recommend them elderly individuals or anyone that wants to improve their overall health!

Ergonomic Monitor Arm

 The next thing that most offices lack which can vastly improve your work experience are ergonomic monitor arms for computer use. These are arm-like devices attach to computer screens and mount to either a wall or desk. They allow users to tilt their computer screen, move it back, forward, and side to side for maximum convenience. With traditional computers, many people who have them poorly placed can often unconsciously be causing their own neck and shoulder pain. When a computer isn't directly in front of the individual, the neck works extra hard to look for it and stay an an undesirable position to stare at the screen. Over time, the neck and shoulder muscles can shift and become a bit lopsided, causing them to stiffen and generate pain. Users that rely on ergonomic monitor arms have the option of adding more than one computer screen, and they rarely experience the same pain that traditional computer users do.


Ergo Office Chair

If you haven't made the switch to an ergonomic office chair, your whole cubicle might as well be a cardboard box for all the efficiency you get. Ergonomic chairs are incredibly important for any modern office because they are remarkable pain relievers, and they're excellent for increasing productivity. Business owners everywhere have incorporated affordable ergonomic chairs for office desk use into their practice because of the amazing health benefits these chairs provide. Capable of high adjustability in height, armrests, and tilt tension, ergonomic chairs are super customizable. Those with waterfall seats allow increased blood flow to the legs, while adjustable arms relieve joint pain. Incredible lumbar support is a staple of almost all ergo office chairs for back pain relief. They're made with all sorts of materials, from fabric to leather, and most are incredibly affordable. Some stylish mesh chairs with ergonomic features even run for less than $100. Ergonomic chairs have been the subject of extensive study by engineers, designers, and medical specialists everywhere. If you want to revolutionize your entire office experience, an ergonomic office chair is never a bad place to start.

CPU Holder

For those of us who aren't tech geniuses, a "CPU" probably sounds more like a character from Star Wars than an actual device. Still, if you've got a computer, it's a safe bet to assume you probably have one. CPUs, or Central Processing Units, are basically your computer's external hard drive (the big blinking boxy thing that your computer needs to survive). They're usually hogging up all the space either underneath or on top of an office desk. External CPUs are often bulky and difficult to handle, which is why they're such necessary banes to most offices. However, discount CPU holders for sale can solve a lot of problems you probably just assumed you'd have to deal with. These devices mount to the underside of your office desk to keep CPUs off of the ground. The reason they're on our list of the most helpful accessories for office use is because most people don't realize they need them until it's too late. Anyone that's accidentally kicked their computer's CPU or dropped a beverage to witness a flurry of sparks followed by the dreaded computer death ought to give CPU holders some consideration. These gadgets are affordable, easy to install, simple to use, ergonomic, and they save lots of desk space. The allow CPUs to be drawn out from under the desk and flipped around to attach cables and they give the space under your desk back you your legs. CPU holders: An accident preventer if there ever was one.

Keyboard Tray

Even if you already have a keyboard in your office, you could probably stand to gain a whole lot from the last item on our list. If you have arthritis or joint pain in your wrists and hands, choosing ergonomic keyboard trays for computer use may be one of the best business decisions you make. These devices ae typically designed to mount on sliders underneath your office desk. With a keyboard set on it, they allow your computer keyboard to slide in and out of your office desk. Many of them can often tilt or adjust height to suit the needs of all users. Those with spaces for computer mice built in are the best kind, and adept at relieving joint pain. Keyboard trays with mouse pads prevent users from having to switch between the desk and the keyboard to click and type, increasing efficiency. Because they mount under desktops, keyboard trays are typically at arm's reach, and if they aren't they can usually adjust so that users hands are kept parallel with their arms, improving blood flow and reducing pain and inflammation in the joints. Like office plants, keyboard trays are excellent for the elderly. Individuals with joint problems, and those who want prevent them will never regret adding one to their office space!

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5 Tips for Creating the Ideal Home Office

Whether you're working for a business, through the internet, or just for yourself, there's one thing that all home offices have - distractions. Kids, pets, messes, and squeaky office chairs can be detrimental to a person that works at home, in an environment that's meant to be comfortable and familiar. When an place isn't the best it can be, neither is the person that lives in it. What we spend time around influences who we are. For those that spend eight hours a day in a home office they aren't satisfied with, negative influences can lead to an unhappy outlook and an unhappy home. But never fear! Here are some great interior design tips to help create the perfect home office that's right for you.

A Splash of Paint

Believe it or not, colors have deep psychological effects on our brains. For those sensitive to their surroundings, they can influence mood and outlook over long periods of time. If you're stuck in a boring home office with whitewashed walls and no windows and notice you're not quite as happy as you could be, perhaps it's time for a change. A few splashes of color on those walls may make all the difference! Interior and graphic designers are all educated on the ways colors can effect mood. Typically, yellow is a no-no for walls because it can make people anxious, blue calms and relaxes, lavender soothes, and green and orange energize. Different hues can have different effects too, for example, while bright yellow can cause a feeling of uneasiness, a soft cream creates a cheerful feel, so it is a common color for baby's rooms.  Knowing how different colors effect you individually can have a great impact on your attitude, work ethic, and overall feeling throughout the day, if you surround yourself with the right colors. You may even decide to paint patterns! After all, it's your home. Why not make it yours? Taking a weekend to paint your office with a friend may be just the perk you need!

Let There Be Light

Ever wonder why skyscrapers have glass walls? Well, like color, light has a tremendous effect on human psychology. Scientific studies have proven that people work better in environments where there is plenty of natural sunlight to brighten their day. So if your home office doesn't have windows, and you know you like to look at the great outdoors, take a tip from the architects and choose a room with a view! Letting in some natural sunlight is sometimes the best decision an employer can make. It improves work ethic, mood, and energy levels among other things. Working at home allows you the freedom to take control of your surroundings. If your home office doesn't have windows, and artificial lighting for office use is insufficient, move your office to another part of your place that does, and turn the other room into something else fun. Vampires were last year's thing. Let's make 2014 a year of light!

Minimize Distractions

Now we get to the hard part - the dreaded distractions. As much as it's romanticized, working at home creates a breeding ground for distractions. Kids that want to play, pets that want to play, grown ups that want to play, it never seems to end! That's why letting people know when work time is work time is so important for those that work at home. Keeping dry-erase calendars and presentations boards for office are great tools. Use them to let your spouse, roommates, and friends know when your work hours are. That way, they know they're not to bother you during those times. To keep yourself on task, silence your cell phone, TV, and radio. Block social media sites during the day. Have a friend set the passwords on all of it without telling you if you must! Do whatever it takes. If you live with other people and sound is a problem, put some foam padding or fabric squares around your doors and walls to soundproof your space.
Unfortunately, kids and pets aren't accustomed to silence and the needs of others, but you may be able to work this to your advantage. Setting aside some break time during the day to go for a short, fifteen minute walk can break the tedium and improve mood in you, your kid, and your pet. Going to your local park is a welcome break from the workday, and the best part is, kids, pets, and bag lunches are almost always welcome!

The Right Furniture

Now that we've taken care of the walls and the beasts beyond them, it's time to fix the furniture! In the commercial business world, the rickety office desks of old just don't cut it in the modern era. Recent years have seen a huge rise in in the sales of office desks, modular workstations, and high tech cubicles. If you want your business to keep up, it's probably not a bad idea to refurbish your home office space. Of course, choosing the right furniture depends on the size of your room. Take the time to accurately measure the perimeters of your space and the furniture pieces you're thinking to buy. Consider the sort of furniture you'll need. For example, if you read a lot for work, bookcases are probably worth consideration. If you use technology, high tech office desks for computer use may have applications for tablets and other devices as well. You may even choose to go with furniture sets instead of individual desks. Furniture sets like the E55 Office Desk Typical by Mayline, and it's counterparts from the e5 collection make great additions to any home office. This collection offers furniture that's compact, include lots of storage space, is easy to power, and even comes in tons of colors to better match your new painted walls!

Comfortable Chair

Last but not least, we will address one of the most important decisions you can make for your home office. Comfortable office chairs are extremely important in all work environments. If the chairs are not optimal, improper seating positions over time can result in serious health problems, such as back pain, sciatica, joint problems, and poor circulation. That's part of the reason why so many corporate businesses have made the switch to comfortable desk chairs with ergonomic features to minimize health risks. Ergonomics is the study of comfort in the workplace, and no office furniture products show the advancements of this field better than office chairs. Even today's most affordable ergonomic chairs are equipped with the latest tilt tension features and lumbar supporting designs. Chairs with mesh backs, like the WAU-HIGH-BK-CHR Wau High Back Office Chair by Eurotech allow for breathability (and are usually highly affordable). Massaging chairs often offer heating features to soothe muscles, and ergonomic leather office chairs provide luxury executive style. One of the greatest things about working at home, is that you have control over your environment, all it takes is initiative!

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The Ergonomic Workplace: Top Office Products by ESI

On a regular basis, We're all looking for ways to become more productive at work. Luckily, top ergonomic product manufacturers are inventing incredible office solutions each year sure to do just that. Brands like ESI are at the forefront of innovation in the ergonomic world and raise the bar steadily in terms of workplace functionality and efficiency. In today's article we'll highlight several of ESI's best products you'll surely want to add to your office space.

First up, the AA500 Sit to Stand Keyboard Arm with retractable design. If it's versatility you're in search of, this is the product for you! The AA500 allows users to quickly switch from sitting to standing to meet their personal computing preferences. Priced at $511.99 this high end office product offers heavy duty features and excellent durability. Standard attributes include a 19" height adjustment with paddle actuator for easy movement and slim arms for optimal knee clearance. The overall width needed under worksurfaces is 28" while 26" of depth is also a must. The AA500's load capacity is 150Lbs and the arm is retractable on two 23" slides.

While a variety of single monitor mount options are available, we thought it would be far more fun to highlight the 4 screen monitor mount MMFS4 by ESI. Talk about cool! The MMFS4 is sure to free up ample workspace while simultaneously improving your work speed. Constant flipping back and fort between tabs is no long necessary with this awesome products. This mounting solution also features a wide range of adjustment capabilities that make it quickly adaptable to any users preference. While units like this are more commonly used in high tech business environments, we're seeing a huge influx in dual screen mount popularity for home office applications. This ergo product trend is definitely a winner! Those who've started using ergonomic monitor mounts of any kind will tell you there's no going back.

Looking for a cutting edge innovation to take your business over the top? Check out the ESI WOW01 Workstation on Wheels with incredible wow factor! It's no big secret as to where this product got it's name from. The WOW station offers a generous workspace while helping to maximize the square footage of any work environment. Whether the WOW01 is used in an office, educational or healthcare setting, this ergonomic workstation is the perfect solution for mobile computing. It's also really cool! Be prepared for constant questions, compliments, and starring when this product is in use! Standard features like the adjustable height design and heavy duty base with over sized casters make the WOW01 an absolute winner in the workplace.

Creating multi media spaces has become a huge business trend sure to improve meeting and conference room effectiveness. Products like the TV-CADI-LX mobile LCD TV mount by ESI offer a cost effective alternative to replacing your conference table with any of the latest powered models. This mobilized mount supports screens up to 37" and offers a 176 lb. weight capacity. The TV Caddy helpfully accommodates differences in LCD mounting patterns. Mounting brackets adjust from 4”W - 23.6”W for added versatility. Your TV can be mounted at various heights along pole to meet your specific viewing preferences quickly. The 4 locking castors provide stability when in use while the ergonomic handle makes for easy repositioning when needed. Priced at $850.99, this product is a must for modern businesses in 2014.

From large to small, ergonomic products are helping us accessorize our work environments on a daily basis. Innovative solutions like the CPU01 model CPU mount by ESI offer a cost effective way of securing any computers power source while simultaneously protecting against flood damage. No more troublesome trips underneath your desk to wrangle with wires! The CPU01 mount allows for quick and easy retracting when needed. Priced at only $98.99, you'll be hard pressed to find a more helpful product for your workplace. As with all ESI ergonomic office products, the CPU01 is easy to use, install, and operate. This product is an absolute must for any home or business.

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How to Properly Use Ergonomic Office Chairs

The years of study and smart design that goes into crafting ergonomic furniture benefits businesses by increasing productivity and efficiency in the workplace. Few things are so comfortable and versatile as an ergonomic office chair though. As the oldest recipient of extensive ergonomic study, office chairs have drastically improved over the course of many years and are now able to relieve all sorts of common office pains. However, many users do not realize that these chairs, while highly comfortable in multiple positions, are in fact precision instruments. In order to maximize comfort and alleviate pain, they need to be properly used. Here's a few tips on how to enhance your ergonomic experience!

Remember Geometry Class

Don't worry, there's no formulas to memorize here. Ergonomic design is just aided by proper posture. While most ergonomic office chairs are predesigned to subtly improve posture in order to alleviate pain, users can always help things along by remembering to shift the way they sit. Proper posture is based on a series of right angles. In order to enhance the effects of your office chair, make sure you sit with your back straight, at a right angle to your legs. Scoot as closely comfortable to your desk as you can and check if your arms form right angles as well when you type. If not, adjust the height and armrests of your chair until they do. Also, try to keep your legs at 90-degree angles as well. Those with poor circulation or knee joint pain however, may angle tilt their seats to degrees greater than 90, or opt for a chair with a waterfall seat instead. Over time, when consciously corrected repetitively, keeping this improved posture will relieve most or all of a user's back pain, joint pain, strain, and discomfort!

Get Your Head Out of the Clouds

What we mean by this is don't sit too high. One critical mistake most office chair users make is adjusting their chair so that they must hunch over in order to type or see a keyboard. This is detrimental to the spine because it forces all of your weight down on one set of bones. The human body is really better designed to stand, not to sit, and standing naturally straightens and alleviates stress on the spine. People who stand more tend to have better posture and less back pain because their legs and abdominal muscles help to support the weight of the body. However, if you'd rather not purchase ergonomic desks with height adjustment for standing, adjusting the height of chairs can help. Remember the right angle rules listed above, and keep your back as straight as possible.

Keep Your Feet on the Ground

If your desk or chair is too high that your feet hover over the ground, you are putting yourself at serious risk for foot and joint pain. Even if the thighs are heavier than the lower part of the leg, just letting them dangle freely is terrible for circulation. When the feet aren't resting on the ground, it puts stress on the knees, which now bear all the weight of the rest of the leg. This contributes to poor circulation, which can cause terrible joint pain and potential blood clots over time in those with the propensity for it. In athletes, dangling feet can weaken the achilles tendon, putting them at risk. Instead of leaving legs hanging, foot rests with adjustability can relieve the majority of these problems. Most can tilt to help stretch the achilles tendon and nearly all are height adjustable to better support the leg.

Eyes on the Computer

Those that work with computers all day may notice an uncomfortable strain in their necks. This could be because your computer is not directly in front of you. Few people understand that neck vertebrae are attached to and considered part of the spine. When the computer screen is not directly in front of the user, and that person must keep their head turned to the same side day after day, it can alter the muscles that are attached to the vertebrae, making them uneven. In extreme cases, the painful effect can be felt throughout the entire upper back. If you experience neck pain because of your computer screen's placement or height, adjustable monitor arms for computers are great ways of remedying the problem. Just mount one to a wall or desk, attack the computer, and adjust the screen until it's centered in front of your face.

Consider Your Surroundings

When buying an office chair for your workplace, it is important to consider your environment. Is your workplace a bit too hot for you? To cold? Believe it or not, ergonomics can remedy this as well. Chairs for those with extreme back pain exist that have electric heaters built into the surface, but they're also wonderful for those working in cold environments. Far-infared heat keeps the user nice and toasty while simultaneously penetrating through tissue to loosen tight muscles and relieve pain. On the opposite end of the spectrum, breathable mesh chairs with ergonomics allow air flow to reach the occupant, effectively cooling them. The fabric can be easily cleaned with a damp cloth or wipe, so mesh chairs are incredibly sanitary, which is one reason why comfortable mesh chairs for guest use are so common in waiting areas. Because ergonomic furniture is so versatile, there is always a chair or desk that is optimally suited for a particular purpose. Choosing what is best for you and your environment will bring harmony to your workspace.

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5 Creative Ways to Spice Up a Boring Office

It's no secret that companies like Google and Pixar have super cool and cutting edge office environments. There are those out there who spend their whole education racking up the credentials just so they can spend a career in a cool ocean-themed cubicle and take breaks in a nap pod, which is probably why trying to get a job at either place is next to impossible. Sure, working at these companies is definitely a sweet gig, but that doesn't mean your job can't be. If your workplace is still rocking beige walls and 1980s cubicles, it's probably time for a change. A dull office environment is not only takes a toll on business and the way customers view it, but it can also attack employee health, causing physical and mental deterioration. Don't let your employees get the Monday blues when they leave the office on Fridays. Here are a few great ways to spice up office life and bring in some fun!

Let Some Light In

We've all seen those commercials for depression meds with the victims sitting in dark rooms ignoring their pets. One has to wonder, perhaps if they opened a window and let some light in, maybe they wouldn't need the meds. Unfortunately, most people don't realize how important light is to the body. Yes, poor lighting can strain the eyes, but it can also leave employees feeling trapped. In an office environment, repetitive menial work coupled with bad lighting is practically a recipe for depressed, unproductive employees. Plentiful natural lighting has been shown to improve outlook and increase productivity in all sorts of environments. Lack of natural light has a negative effect that increases over time, so many people don't even realize it causes depression. If you've got a dull office, one of the best ways to liven things up is by opening a few windows. If that's impossible for whatever reason, amping up the artificial lighting for office use is a good substitute. Just make sure your aren't living in the dark!

Bring the Outside Inside

Believe it or not, a little touch of the outdoors can have a tremendous effect on the appeal of an office space. Not only do a few plants make interiors feel more homey and inviting, but many of them can actually purify the air, improving employee mental health! Some of the prettiest easy-care office plants that do this are aloe vera, chrysanthemum, gerber daisies, and red-edged dracaena. Additionally, colorful, easy-care fishes set on the edges of office desks with glass tops will definitely liven up any space. They have become super popular in recent years. If you're in need of a cute, quiet cubicle friend, beta fish have been known to live comfortably in one gallon bowls with plants to oxygenate the water. However, buying a quiet filter such as an Aquaclear or a Cascade 300, instantly increases your fish options, and you won't have to do much more than feed them twice a day. If you can convince your boss, plants and fish make adorable nonintrusive additions to the workplace that guests are sure to love!

Have Some Fun

Obviously, work is for work, but that doesn't mean you can't have a bit of fun on the job. Sometimes small things like regular games during breaks or lunchtime is a great way to bring employees together as a community. Instead of letting things get stagnant at work, change things up a bit. Have activities going on after work some days that employees or office guests can take part in. A running game of Kill the Stickman or Trashbin Basketball with scores kept on stylish presentation boards for office use can go over the course of several days. They are easy and fun on days when there aren't any meetings and the board isn't in use. Additionally, silly things like "Weird Hat Day" or a day for harmless pranks will bring much needed laughter to a drab workplace, making employees want to do good at their job because they value it. In short, always remember to get your work done, but there's nothing wrong with having fun in your down time!

Change the Walls

One of the biggest signs of a boring workplace is boring walls. If you're employees look like they might be about to grind cheese graters against their foreheads just for a bit of color, its probably time to say goodbye to the boring cubicles and white walls. Not all cool cubicles with modern design are super expensive. Nowadays, cubicles come with designs that offer both privacy and windows to view the world through. If you find functionality of cubicles helpful to your work environment but want a way to bring down the walls, office workstations for multiple users make wonderful alternatives. Finally, tossing a bit of color on the walls or someplace else in the office really brings a room back into the world of the living. Consider adding some artwork for employees to rest their eyes on when the computer light is getting to them. Views of the outdoors are extremely beneficial to those within indoor environments for extended periods of time.

Modernize

The workplace blues aren't only caused by drab looks. Gaudy old office furniture can take tolls on both business perception and employee's physical health. The best way to solve this is to step into the 21st century! Modernization can work wonders for an office if done right, and it doesn't have to cost the boss an arm and a leg. Simply adding mesh back chairs with ergonomics can drastically improve circulation and decrease back pain for users, and the best part about them is the affordable price. Hiring interior designers with specializations in office applications may be one of the best decisions a boss can make for their business. Most office designers are aware of which furniture is the most conducive to a productive, attractive work environment and they won't hesitate to get the best for the best deals.

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5 Ways to Create An Eco Friendly Office

With all this talk of climate change and all the shows on TV about the animals affected by human expansion, its no wonder that the "green revolution" has truly taken off. People everywhere have taken on the responsibility for the effects on the world they can't always see. They've taken up recycling, changed their lighting fixtures, reduced their shower times, and all that other good stuff. But what about when you're at work? Even if you're the greenest guy or gal at the office, its hard to keep up the routine if your workplace doesn't provide avenues for it. Here are some great ways to go green at the office, and possibly save some cash in the process!

Recycle

Recycling is often the first thing people think of when they try to go green. Obviously, offices use tons of paper, which kills trees and wastes an unnecessary 55% of water compared to recycled paper. The list of office products that can be recycled is pretty much endless: papers, metals (paperclips and soda cans), cardboard, but one of the most important things you can recycle as a business is plastic. You may not know, but when plastic isn't properly recycled, it has a good chance of floating around over the years until it reaches the ocean, where it can float around for a very long time. That plastic bottle you're drinking out of, if you don't recycle it, could very well end up in one of the five oceanic gyres filled with plastic. According to 5gyres.org In each of the world's oceans, there's an area where all the currents meet and swirl pretty much infinitely. Any trash or plastic in the water will eventually make it there to become part of a giant trashy soup. These plastic gyres pollute the water and trap animals. Sometimes migrating fish can swallow tiny bits of this plastic. If they're caught by us, the fish are usually eaten, which basically means we are eating each other's trash, albeit in small quantities. Every human born since the 50s has plastic in their bodies and scientific research shows that drinking or eating from plastic containers can contribute to developing cancer. 

Recycling at the office is a great way to help break this cycle since workplaces house numerous individuals that would recycle if given the opportunity. You may even choose to check with your local government to see if it offers cash rewards to businesses that recycle! 

Pull the Plug

Did you know that devices plugged into walls are always sucking power? Even if your cellphone is fully charged or your hairdryer is completely off, if its plugged into the wall, both the environment and you are paying for it. What the electric companies don't want you to know is that the best way to lower your power bill is to unplug all your stuff when its not in use. Even if your employees set their computers to "low power mode" when they leave the office, if its plugged in, its likely costing the tons of money on the electric bill. A study done in California determined that "low power mode" is responsible for 10% of total electricity used in homes in California. A great way to save the environment and save yourself some cash is to change your computer's settings so that it saves energy. You can look up how to do this depending on your computer, and you'll be surprised just how much energy this saves. Also, don't forget to pull the plug on things like TVs, DVD players, and other gadgets when not in use either at work or at home. You may end up saving your workplace a few bucks and a few polar bears by reducing the amount of fossil fuels burned!

Carpool

Soccer moms and high school kids have taken this collective mode of transport to the max. Of course biking, taking the bus, or riding a scooter to work are far more eco-friendly than driving a car, but since most people can't get away from it, carpooling is the next best thing. Talk with your co-workers to see who lives near you and ask if they'd like to carpool. Not only does it save all of you money on gas if you all pitch in a little bit, but it also saves gas. Research shows that around 8 billion gallons of gas would be saved if every car in the U.S. carried just one more person. Carpooling is a wonderful opportunity for co-workers to bond and become friendly with one another. After all, you spend all day together anyway, why not get to know the folks in the office cubicle configurations next to you? Some employers even pay there employees a little extra just for riding together! Who knows? You may even gain a best buddy while you gain cleaner air!

Green Office Desks

This is one for the employers rather than the employees. While its probably not worth the trouble if your workplace is already filled with quality office desks, those of you thinking about starting a new business or redesigning your office can consider choosing eco-friendly office desks. Great multi user workstations for business use are easy and efficient to power even if they're not made out of sustainable materials. By housing more than one individual, the desks can save space, making your workplace appear cleaner and more efficient, but they also use less power, saving you money on the company's electric bill. For those of you considering redecorating, recycling the old desks and looking for stylish office desks for sale made from sustainable materials like recycled metals, recycled glass, bamboo, or other sustainably extracted hardwoods is another great way to go green!

Smart Office Lighting

Choosing the right lighting for your office can make a world of difference for both the environment and your pocketbook. We've always said that natural sunlight has always been the best sort of lighting for office scenarios if you have a sufficient source. Natural sunlight saves tons of money because it costs none, and it has wonderful psychological effects on employees and guests alike, making them feel better, more upbeat, energetic, and friendly. However, if your office simply can't do this for whatever reason, never fear! There are plenty of great desk lamps and office lighting solutions out there that can save both the environment and you some worries. Choosing compact fluorescents and LED lights that use little energy can give you better lighting and save you more money over a longer period of time than traditional incandescent lights. These lighting options burn brighter and more efficiently for much longer than traditional lights, and can sometimes burn for years, saving you tons of money and the environment tons of fossil fuels. Going the extra mile by springing for lighting systems that have motion sensors can also help your green theme by shutting off when there's no sign of physical activity. Schools everywhere have already made wonderful use of this nifty invention, why not see if your workplace will too?

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