GeekSugar

Geek Tip: Make Your Workstation a Little More Ergonomic

dannysf — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 14:30:42 PDT

It doesn't take much to make your home workstation a little more body friendly. So before you head back to school this Fall, add a few ergonomic touches to your home office. I have professed my love for the Ikea Dave Laptop stand many times before, so if you must work in front of the tube (like yours truly), put it on a stand and not on your lap! Add a desk lamp to save your eyes, and either an amazing chair or a fitness ball (or both!) to save your back and shoulders. Also, make sure you have a pretty keyboard wrist rest to prevent typing fatigue.

Have any ergonomic supplies you can't live without? Share with us your own geeky, body-friendly office tips below!

The Herman Miller Embody Chair Feels Good All Over

GeekSugar — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 04:00:03 PST

When furniture designer Herman Miller sent me one of their latest and greatest creations, the Embody Chair - which is both body and blogging friendly - I couldn't wait to see if it felt as good as it looked.

With the help of physicians and professionals in such fields like biomechanics, vision, physical therapy, and ergonomics, designers Jeff Weber and Bill Stumpf created the Embody Chair with the office worker in mind, therefore making sure it was jam-packed full of health-positive benefits.

What instantly struck me about this chair was the fact that its entire backing looks like a real spine, with vertebrates and all. Once you sit down, you can actually feel it adapting to the shape and movement of your spine and it will move when you move. With adjustments for your back, seat height, arm height, arm width, the tilt tension (yes it can recline) and the seat depth, you can get the Embody to distribute your weight evenly and conform perfectly to your body. And even if your body moves, the lower back support always remains constant for perfect posture and back alignment.

Although the chair looks very dainty and delicate, it's actually quite sturdy and extremely heavy! So you don't have to worry about breaking it. The Embody is 95 percent recyclable, PVC free, and was made with 42 percent of recycled content. The chair is said to be available this January for $1600 - I know, pricey, but it is the Aston Martin of office chairs! And I can't confirm this, but I'm going to assume it will come in more colors other than yellow. Herman Miller even has its own Thoughtpile site where you can contribute solutions and creative ideas from topics ranging to the environment to urban design!

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Feast Your Eyes (and Arms) on This Wrist Rest

GeekSugar — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 09:03:36 PDT

Sure, I bet you have a black or other primary colored wrist rest, and it suits you just fine. But this is geeksugar, and I'm not interested in plain peripherals! I'm dazzled by this Wrist Rest Set ($11) and its turquoise geometric pattern. It's like a party on your desk, and who doesn't need that?

Not only is it a pretty sight, this rest has all-natural filler: buckwheat, flaxseed, and rice. And it's lavender-scented. Balance the party in the pattern with the soothing smell of the lavender, and you've got a perfect product, my friend.

Sitting 101: Desk Ergonomics

FitSugar — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 14:30:00 PDT

I consider myself an active person and am definitely happier strolling about than sitting, but I sit for a large portion of the day. I blog – how could I avoid a chair? Like most things, there's a technique to sitting. A well-designed workstation can help keep you pain free while you toil away during the day.

Here are a few things to consider about how and where you sit:

Adjust the height of your chair so your hips are between 90 and 120 degrees. If adjusting your chair means your feet no longer rest comfortably on the floor, use a foot rest.
Your keyboard should be in line or lower than your elbow joint. The open angle of the elbow will help reduce elbow, wrist, and shoulder pain.

I have a few more suggestions, so

Keep your wrists straight and never bend them up to type. I find a good wrist rest to be invaluable for maintaining correct wrist alignment. Check out these stretches for your wrists – they will help, too.
The top of your monitor should be at eye level. If it is too low you could be setting yourself up for neck pain. Put a book or two under the screen to raise it adequately.
You should sit with your back straight. Use a pillow if you need low back support. Do not lean forward because that will close you hip joint down and stress your low back and neck.

Don't forget to move around as much as you can during the day. Adding little walks throughout your workday is an effective way to relieve pressure you might feel on your bum and spine.

Geek Gear: Ergonomic Mouse

GeekSugar — Tue, 22 May 2007 13:30:39 PDT

About a week ago I asked you readers to help me find an ergonomic mouse that's both hand and eye friendly. My mom uses a simple mouse she bought with her laptop and is constantly bugging me about finding her a better option.

dali137 bookmarked this Logitech TrackMan Wheel, which seems to be a favorite among computer users seeking an ergonomic balance. "I use ONLY this mouse, I own one for home and one for travel with my powerbook," says dali137. "I can just lay back on the couch and prop the mouse on a pillow and geek away. It also comes in a cordless model as well as other configs of the trackball idea."

For another ergonomic mouse idea,

cravinsugar has a couple great finds, including the Adesso SmartCat Pro USB Glidepoint Touchpad. Priced at $79.95, the Smart Cat Pro is all about comfort and control. It features one-touch scroll and zoom, and distinctive sounds for each operation.

You can check out all the bookmarked ergonomic mice on TeamSugar.

Since Sitting is So Bad For Us...

FitSugar — Mon, 07 May 2007 02:30:00 PDT

We've all heard how bad sitting in a chair all day is - Well G-Tech has addressed this problem.

No this woman is not at the dentist - she's working on her computer on the ergonomic Neber chair designed in Korea. It tilts you back, so the weight is distributed evenly throughout your body, instead of being focused on your lower back and bum (as with regular sitting).

This "Lazy Boy Recliner meets works station" could revolutionize the work place, creating happier, healthier men and women. Instead of complaining about their aching backs, workers can complain about their work load.

I have to say I would love to try one of these chairs since I am at the computer for so many hours in a row - how about you? Tell me in the comments section below.

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The BalanceBall Is Good For Your Back And Your Butt

GeekSugar — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 14:00:34 PDT

Anything that helps me get in shape while sitting down is something that grabs my attention because unfortunately, I am sitting at my desk for at least 10 hours a day. The BalanceBall Chair is not your conventional office chair. Designed with help from the chiropractic expert Dr. Randy Weinzoff, the BalanceBall is a great way to strengthen your core muscles and improve your spinal alignment. The actual chair looks like a huge yoga ball on easy-glide casters with adjustable support for the lower back. It might not be the most stylin' chair but your back will definitely be thanking you! To purchase for $80 go to Gaiam.com.

Love It or Leave It: The Flote iPad Stand

Anna Monette Roberts — Sat, 19 May 2012 11:11:01 PDT

Companies know that peering down to play or work on a tablet can cause back and neck strain, so now they're rolling out ergonomic stands for the iPad. Whether your tablet of choice is Android- or iOS-based, Flote Tablet Stand ($270) works as a floor or bed stand and is designed to bend and move to meet your ergonomic needs.

The stand has a sleek design, complementing Apple's simple aesthetic, and is easy to bend and move into different directions and angles. Sure, it has a shocking price tag, but it could save you hundreds in chiropractor bills. What do you think about the Flote?

Ergonomic Beauty Products to Make Your Life Easier

Jaime Richards — Tue, 24 May 2011 06:01:55 PDT

When you think of ergonomics, you probably think of oddly shaped keyboards and office chairs equipped to reduce strain on the back, but you likely don't think of beauty products. However, there are a whole slew of personal care goods that feature such well-thought-out designs as swerved handles, smoothed angles, and curved mechanisms that can make your life a whole lot easier. Japonesque's ergonomic mini tweezer set ($29), for instance, is made specifically for maximizing comfort and control during hair removal.

And then there's Klhip's Ultimate Clipper, a hefty price at $70, but you'll have it forever. Its reversed lever makes cutting softer and smoother, so much that you'll find you probably won't need to file your nails after grooming. And thanks to its gentler pressure, you'll love that clippings won't go flying to no man's land during the process. To see more ergonomic beauty products and discover more, just click on any of the images above.

Give Your Desk a Healthy Makeover With These Tips

Leta Shy — Wed, 02 May 2012 13:44:46 PDT

Since you spend so much time at your desk, it's important that you make it a healthy environment - especially since there are so many ways your job can make you fat. Here's how to make over your desk to stay healthy while you work.

Stash snacks: Vending machines and office candy jars can be too much temptation, especially when your grumbling stomach is egging you on. Instead, stock your desk drawer with a few filling snacks, like almonds, trail mix, all-natural homemade fruit and nut bars, and green tea bags to satisfy tummy and taste buds before you give up and reach for the leftover break room doughnuts.

Use a reusable water bottle: Nothing reminds you to drink more water than a filled water bottle living on your desk. Drinking enough water throughout the day is crucial for both your health and your mood, since dehydration can lead to fatigue and irritability, so fight that afternoon slump (or the urge to snap at your fellow co-workers) by drinking up. Find out how much water you should be drinking here.

Deal with germs: Many times, lunch at your desk is just inevitable. Those days dining in front of your monitor can make things a little messy at your desk. Keep your area germ-free with desk wipes and all-natural hand sanitizer (find out how to make your own hand sanitizer here).

Adjust that chair: You're sitting there for most of the day, so make sure you keep your chair and computer comfortably aligned with the position of your body to prevent back, wrist, and neck pain. Not sure if your monitor is too low or if you are sitting correctly? Read our tips for creating an ergonomic desk here.