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Our desks weren’t made for us. They were made for everyone.
So ergonomics expert Jon Cinkay from the Hospital for Special Surgery is here to show you how to make your desk and office chair adapt to you and not the other way around.
Who is Alan Hedge and what is his expertise in ergonomics?
Ergonomics Expert Explains How to Set Up Your Desk | WSJ
In an age where work is no longer confined to the boundaries of an office, working from home has become increasingly normal. However, with most individuals having to spend the entirety of their workday seated at a desk, it has become imperative to understand the correct way to set up a desk. This is where an ergonomics expert comes in handy.
According to Forbes, ergonomics is the study of people’s efficiency and wellbeing in their working environment. In other words, it is the science of designing equipment and the workplace to minimize strain on the body, improve posture, and reduce the risk of injury.
In a recent Wall Street Journal (WSJ) video, ergonomics expert, Alan Hedge, shares his insights on how to correctly set up a desk to achieve maximal comfort and efficiency. Hedge is an ergonomics professor at Cornell University, and his expertise in his field is evident throughout the WSJ video.
Hedge starts by sharing the importance of an adjustable chair that allows the user to change its height, depth, and tilt. This is important as it ensures that the chair can be tailored to the individual’s body size and shape. A chair that sits too low or too high relative to the desk can lead to discomfort, lower back pain, and neck strain.
Next up, Hedge emphasizes the importance of having the computer monitor at the correct height to ensure that the neck remains supported. He suggests that the monitor should be at eye level or slightly below, with the top edge of the monitor no higher than the employee’s eye level. This ensures that the neck remains in a neutral position rather than being tilted upwards or downwards.
Another important aspect of setting up a desk is the keyboard and mouse position. Hedge says it is important to keep the keyboard at a distance that allows the individual’s forearms to rest gently on the desk. The mouse should be placed adjacent to the keyboard so that it can be easily accessed without causing strain or discomfort.
Lastly, Hedge discusses the importance of taking breaks and moving around during the workday. Working from home can make it easy to be sedentary for long hours, which can lead to several health problems such as obesity, heart disease, and circulation problems. Hedge advises taking breaks every 30-40 minutes, which could be as simple as getting up and walking around or doing some stretches.
In conclusion, setting up a desk correctly is crucial in ensuring that one’s workday is efficient and comfortable. It is important to invest in a good chair, adjust the monitor to eye level, position the keyboard and mouse appropriately, and take regular breaks to avoid the negative effects of a sedentary lifestyle. Hedge’s tips can help ensure that individuals stay healthy while working from home.
