Office Accessories
More goes into setting up your office than deciding which scissors and stapler to use and finding desk organizers to reduce clutter. When you work at your computer or at a desk all day (whether it’s at home or in an office), you’re putting yourself at risk for developing pain and other issues in your neck, lower back, hips, tailbone, and thighs.
The average office worker sits at their desk for eight hours a day with minimal breaks. Most ergonomic chairs that make a huge difference in preventing pain are expensive, and unless you’re working at a place that has the budget for expensive chairs, you’re likely stuck with something that doesn’t offer much in terms of support or comfort, especially in your home office.
To upgrade your own office with the best desk accessories, you can purchase seat cushions that offer extra lumbar support, coccyx support, and neck support. There are many modern desk accessories for you to choose from, allowing you to customize your office to bring your comfort level at work to the next level. Proper support in your workstation is just as important as using a tray with compartments as a storage solution or organizing all those sticky notes and binder clips in a pen holder.
Injuries and Pain Can Develop From an Uncomfortable Office Chair
Not only will sitting in an uncomfortable office chair exacerbate any pain you may already experience, but it can also bring about new pain, especially if you're staring at an electronic device all day. When you sit in an uncomfortable office chair, you can cause damage to the following areas:
- Neck
- Upper back
- Lower back
- Hips
- Tailbone
An uncomfortable office chair may also exacerbate the following conditions:
- Sciatica
- Hemorrhoids
- Varicose veins
- Leg numbness
- Chronic back pain
- Diabetes
- Fatigue
- Herniated discs
If you’re experiencing any type of pain in your body because of your office chair, either new or old, you may benefit from adding some extra comfort to your chair.
Essentials to Make Your Office the Most Comfortable It Can Be
An uncomfortable office can lead to both pain and an inability to properly concentrate on your paperwork and desktop all day. Adding seat cushions, back support, and other comfortable office accessories will allow you to become more focused on your work as you’ll be thinking less about the pain that you’re in.
Focus more on comfort in terms of office accessories rather than the basic pen and pencil cup or drawer organizers to reward your body for all the work you put in.
Seat Cushion
If you’re going to select one comfort item to introduce into your workspace, the seat cushion is probably your best option for improving your workspace. A seat cushion can provide relief to your hips and tailbone, taking the pressure off of your coccyx and allowing your weight to distribute evenly across the seat.
However, seat cushions aren’t made equal. Some are made with coccyx cutouts, and some are not. If you’re looking to relieve coccyx pain, you should choose one that has a cutout, because this simple design feature can make a huge difference.
The material used is also important. Memory foam allows for firm support, contouring to your body where you need support. The use of gel allows for a breathable quality, helping to keep you cool throughout the day. Office workers should always check out what exactly they need to fit their bodies’ needs.
Lumbar Support Pillow
Back pain is a common complication associated with an uncomfortable chair. Back pain can also have a huge impact on your life, especially when not treated. It can cause you to withdraw from activities that you could previously partake in.
That’s why it’s so important to get a lumbar support pillow. Not only will it help prevent any damage to your back a standard office chair could cause, but it will also soothe any chronic back pain you may be experiencing.
A lumbar support pillow is designed to fill the space between your lower back and your chair. It helps to support the lower back and realign the spine. You can also use lumbar pillows at night when sleeping, as they’re the perfect size to put under your hips or knees to keep your spine aligned while you sleep.
The perks that go along with the lumbar pillow make it easily one of the best home office accessories to grab or for any employees in an office that wake up with a strained back.
Foot Rest Pillow
It may not seem like something that would have a large impact, but using a footrest pillow can actually help reduce all-over body pain by a huge percentage.
Footrest pillows raise your feet to the right level in order to provide support, reduce leg pain, alleviate any pressure, and provide comfort.
If you’re looking to relieve pain in the ankles, feet, thighs, hips, and back, you should start from the very bottom—at your feet.
Wedge Cushion
A wedge cushion is another type of seat cushion, but it functions differently than a regular seat cushion or a coccyx cutout cushion would. The wedge cushion is placed with the thick part of the cushion at the back of the chair, allowing it to taper down toward the front of the chair.
The incline that it makes allows your hips to sit higher than your knees, helping to open up the front of your hips in order to relieve tension. A wedge cushion is a great option if you’re experiencing hip pain when sitting for long periods.
Armrest Pads
If you’re the kind of person that frequently uses their armrests, you may experience some pain in your arms, shoulders, and elbows if your armrests aren’t providing you with the comfort you deserve.
Many people rest their elbows on their armrests when typing, so to ensure that your arms are as comfortable as possible, you should invest in a pair of armrest covers or pads. If you’re a frequent armrest user, they’ll help keep your elbows comfortable throughout the day.
Add Comfort to Your Office Space
Working at a desk all day can cause many types of injury and damage to your body. You only get one body, and if your job requires you to sit at a desk or at a table all day, every day, invest in some comfortable office desk accessories to keep your body happy and pain-free.
There are so many products out there that can add comfort to your boring, out-of-date office decor and chair. Consider purchasing a seat cushion, lumbar support cushion, or another comfort item and feel the pain leave your body over time. Making sure that you are comfortable at work is the first step to ensuring that once Saturday and Sunday roll around, you are ready to relax and enjoy the weekend.
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