On average, an office worker sits for a whopping ten hours every day. A big chunk of those hours is spent at work as they plow through and answer emails, draft proposals, type on the computer and, in some cases, eat lunch (with colleagues). The rest is spent at home watching TV or browsing the web.
Medical experts warn that prolonged sitting poses a significant increase in the occurrence of heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and cancer. It may even cause depression as well as some muscle and joint problems. Fortunately for today’s office workers, there is a modern commercial office furniture that is friendlier to one’s health.
Here are some of the office furniture items that will make your working environment as healthy and happy as possible:
Height Adjustable Desks
Height-adjustable or standing desks may be used in modern offices, but they go way back to the 1400s. Leonardo da Vinci painted his world-famous artworks on a standing desk. He believed that standing desks allow his creative juices to flow freely.
Modern commercial office furniture companies made the standing desk more versatile by allowing them to be adjusted according to the user’s preferred height. It will enable them to work while sitting or standing. Standing desks increase blood circulation to the brain, which results in increased alertness, focus, and energy. Standing up for more extended periods also burns calories and relieves muscle strain.
Experts agree that workers should be standing for at least two hours a day and aim to add two hours more as the workweek progresses. Using a height-adjustable work desk will allow you to achieve this health goal, possibly.
Collaborative Furniture
These types of office furniture encourage workplace discussions and collaboration. An example would be collaborative lounge furniture, a favorite among millennials. It includes comfortable seating, shields for privacy, and sometimes, built-in conferencing. Being able to discuss and express ideas freely may benefit the company, but it significantly helps an individual employee’s mental health as well.
Employees who feel that their ideas are supported show a high rate of satisfaction. A satisfied team member looks forward to every workday and graciously aligns with the team goals — employee engagement results in productivity, retention, and, most importantly, happiness.
Ergonomic Chairs
Think about this type of furniture. Your full-time office job requires you to sit for roughly six hours a day, five days a week, and 12 months per year. That is an awful lot of time spent sitting. Your best ally in this inevitable situation is an ergonomic office chair. The word ergonomic refers to a piece of furniture that is intended to provide maximum levels of comfort. It also prevents stress or injury. If a chair is to be classified as ergonomic, it must possess the following features:
- seat depth adjustment
- adjustable lumbar support
- height adjustability
- adjustable arms
- synchronized tilt
- waterfall seat pan
An ergonomic chair has several benefits. It helps relieve the pressure and stress that the body endures while working. It also reduces back pain, leg discomfort, and headaches.
More and more companies are now putting a premium on employees’ happiness because a happy worker is a productive worker. One of the most practical solutions that provide employee satisfaction is furniture that supports both physical and mental well-being. It allows the employees to comfortably do their jobs and be ready for a new day.