Buzz
Having trouble finding comfort in your makeshift home office? We've been taught to believe that there is an ideal “ergonomic” setup, and that if everything is properly adjusted and at the right height, discomfort will never strike. But what if staying in the so-called perfect position isn’t as beneficial as we think? Instead, here's a small, humble tip: Move around.
Posture and back pain experts have been highlighting this idea for a while now. There's no one-size-fits-all posture, just a few flexible guidelines to keep in mind: It's perfectly fine for different people to sit in different ways. Your posture can shift based on your mood. And, if you're comfortable, you're not necessarily sitting 'wrong.' There are plenty of ways to sit and stand that are right for you.
In reality, staying in the same position for hours on end is likely not ideal, no matter how you sit. So, instead of pursuing perfection, why not try moving a bit?
Here’s my personal experience: I've spent most of my career working from home and never felt the need for an expensive office chair. I use a padded wooden chair I swiped from the dining room. When I'm typing away, I might sit upright or perch on the edge. When I need to focus, I pull it closer to my desk and lean back with my feet resting on a small ottoman under the desk.
Occasionally, I'll move to the couch with my laptop and switch between three or four different positions: legs stretched out while lounging sideways, one or both legs tucked beneath me, or sometimes sitting up straight with my feet on the ground like any regular person. An ergonomics expert would probably disapprove. But whenever I start feeling stiff, I just switch it up. (This is especially important if you sit with crossed legs – you need to move those legs to avoid them going numb.)
So, if you’re struggling to find the perfect work setup, remember that you may have already discovered several good ones. Experiment with different desk heights, try out various chairs, and don't hesitate to move to the couch or bed once in a while. There are plenty of right answers, and you don't need to settle on just one.
