How to Make Sitting More Comfortable? -5 Tips

Sitting for extended periods of time isn’t always good for your health. Prolonged sitting can lead to back and neck pain, poor posture, and even obesity. But with a few simple adjustments and tips, you can make your next sit-down session much more comfortable and healthier.

The key to making sitting more comfortable is creating a good ergonomic setup. This means you should be sitting with your back straight and feet firmly planted on the floor. The height of your chair should also be adjusted so that your arms are in a comfortable position when typing or using other equipment.

In this blog, I will talk about 5 ways that help you to make this painful experience a lot more comfortable.

Why make sitting more comfortable?

Though we can make sitting comfortable you should need to understand that we can’t avoid prolonged sitting.

Sitting for long hours can cause lower back pain, neck pain, and wrist pain and it also tightens our muscles. If you use an uncomfortable chair, the chance is it can decrease the blood flow. Another issue is slouching which causes backaches.

This is why you need to understand and find ways to make prolonged sitting more comfortable.

Remember, it is not the only posture that causes health issues and which negatively affects your health. Your work surrounding also plays a vital role.

Whether you work at home or in the office, you probably spend an hour on your desk. Considering this fact you need to make your surrounding, especially the desk area ergonomic and comfortable.

Even though there are a number of office exercises that are beneficial for active sitting, having an ergonomic chair, an adjustable table can make your overall sitting experience comfortable.

Here are some quick tips to make your workstation more ergonomic:

  • Position your computer monitor at eye level. This will help reduce strain on your neck and eyes.
  • Adjust your chair height so that your feet are flat on the ground and your knees are at a 90-degree angle. This will help reduce strain on your back and legs.
  • Use a wrist rest when typing to reduce strain on your wrists and arms.
  • Position yourself close to your work so that you don’t have to reach too far. This will help reduce strain on your shoulders and back.
  • Take breaks often to stretch and move around. This will help reduce overall body strain.

5 Ways to Make Sitting area More Comfortable?

1. Use an Ergonomic Chair

You may have heard the term “Ergonomic”? and also Ergonomic Chair. A chair that helps you to sit in a neutral and comfortable position is called an ergonomic chair.

Without the right chair your back, neck, and arms will struggle all the time so first of all try to equip your body with a comfortable chair that at least gives proper support to your lower back, neck and arms.

4. Use a Thick Seat Cushion

Sitting on a hard surface will cause lower back pain and in case you suffer from sciatic pain, use a seat cushion.

A thick Seat cushion gives comfort to your buttock and thigh, and it also decreases spine pressure.

2. Consider a Standing Desk

It is obvious that without having an ergonomic desk either you will slouch or raise your arms and in both cases, you will struggle badly.

The best idea is to buy a desk chair that is adjustable or if you are out of budget then choose desk chairs that best fit according to you and your chair height.

3. Purify Your Air

If you work in an environment where you get to see hard plastic around you then that means you are inhaling pure air.

Of course, you might have ignored this fact so far but it is true.

The best idea to provide your lungs with fresh air is to keep an indoor plant somewhere in your office near to your sitting area.

You may also purify the air with the help of an air purifier so you will not struggle for fresh air.

4. Monitor height and use Laptop Stand

It is important to keep the monitor at the proper height. Proper height means at your eye level where you feel your eyes are not struggling when looking at the screen.

Use an adjustable monitor so you adjust it accordingly. If your monitor is not height adjustable, keep a healthy book under its stand OR  if it is too high, increase the height of your chair.

If you are a laptop user then you don’t need to slouch and look down at it, instead use a laptop stand that can easily prop it up.

5. Use Footrest if need

Now let’s talk about your footrest. When sitting on a chair your feet should touch the floor to maintain ergonomic posture.

If you feel you are not able to keep your feet on the floor for some reason then use a footrest that helps you to keep your knees at 90 degrees.

However, it becomes difficult for a short person and he can hardly touch his feet to the floor. In that case, the footrest plays an important role.

What are some other tips for desk comfort?

Other tips for desk comfort include:

1. Adjust the height of your desk so that the top of your monitor is at eye level.

2. Invest in a wrist rest or armrest to help support your arms while typing.

3. Place items on shelves or a drawer within reach to avoid straining your back, neck, and shoulders to reach items.

4. Make sure the floor is clear of clutter and debris to avoid tripping hazards.

5. Invest in a comfortable chair that supports your lower back and provides lumbar support.

6. Take regular breaks throughout the day to stretch and move around, helping to reduce strain on your body from sitting in one position for too long.

7. Adjust the brightness and contrast of your monitor to reduce strain on your eyes.

8. Use a headset while speaking on the phone or conducting video calls to help avoid neck and shoulder strain.

9. Invest in a footrest if needed to support your feet when sitting at the desk.

10. Make sure your workspace is well-lit and free of distractions to help improve concentration while working at a desk.

11. Place a wastebasket or recycling bin close by for easy access when throwing away documents or other items.

12. Set reminders to get up and move around on a regular basis, as sitting in one position for too long can cause discomfort.

FAQs

Is it better to sit on something hard or soft?

From the ergonomic point of view, it is better to sit on something soft like a cushion or padded chair that contours to the shape of your body and provides lumbar support. This will help reduce the strain on your back and hips, resulting in improved posture and comfort.
A hard surface can be uncomfortable for long periods of sitting, as it does not have the same level of cushioning and support. Additionally, a hard surface can put added pressure on your joints, leading to discomfort over time.

Why is it uncomfortable to sit normally?

Sitting in a normal position for extended periods of time can be uncomfortable because it puts pressure on the lower back and restricts blood circulation, leading to body aches and discomfort.

How often should you take breaks?

It is recommended that you take a break every 30-60 minutes to stretch, walk around, and get your blood flowing. This will help reduce discomfort from sitting in one position for too long and can improve overall productivity. Taking short breaks throughout the day is essential for maintaining a comfortable work environment.

Conclusion

Based upon the above suggestions evaluate your sitting posture and also audit your workspace. If you think you are lacking in some areas then try to make them better and enjoy ergonomic sitting from today.

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