Four ways to improve your posture at home

Workplace ergonomics is now on the radar of most employers across Australia – thanks to education campaigns and research into the impacts of sitting poorly. Companies are increasingly willing to invest in OH&S equipment and raise ergonomics awareness in order to reap the ongoing benefits for their staff.

But when it comes to applying this approach to the home, we still have some catching up to do.

The simple truth is, people are often unwilling to shift to an ergonomically safe home because they believe it will cost more to do so. That’s a myth. Furthermore, ergonomics is not just about having the right equipment, it’s also about examining our behaviours.

Sometimes, just making the smallest adjustments and educating ourselves can lead to vast improvements in our homes.

Here are some tips on how to transform your living environment to an ergonomic zone so you and your family can stay safe and comfortable:

The kitchen: this space is one of central hubs of the home. We tend to spend a lot of time in the kitchen, so it makes sense to ensure we are protecting ourselves while preparing or enjoying meals. Make sure your work triangle (the fridge, sink and stove/oven) is well spaced, that your work counter spaces are at the right height for you, and that you’re using ergonomically designed utensils that have longer, larger handles. And when you’re redesigning your kitchen, make sure you speak to the experts – most kitchen companies have trained designers who understand ergonomics and good posture.

The home office: the workforce is changing rapidly and becoming more and more flexible. As more and more people work from home, either for themselves or others, we’re spending more time sitting if front of our computers – at home. As in workplace ergonomics, the same principles apply. Support your spine correctly, have an adjustable chair and ensure your computer is adjusted at the right height and distance in front of you. This way, you can protect your back, head, neck and eyes.

The furniture: investigate purchasing an ergonomic sofa, recliner or chairs for you and your family. This specially designed furniture will provide the spine with much-needed support and ensure your rest and relaxation is comfortable and safe. We’d like to specially mention ergonomics in the bedroom, as we spend so much of our time sleeping (and in turn sleep is so important for our health and vitality). It’s essential to consider having an ergonomically designed mattress and pillow.

The Garden: we all know the feeling of having aches and pains after a good stint out in the garden. The good news is tending the garden doesn’t have to be such gruelling work, if you know how to look after your body. Don’t bend over for long periods of time as this will strain your back. If possible, alternate with kneeling, and take regular breaks. You can also access a great range of gardening tools (such as spades, rakes and pruners) to take the pressure off your body, particularly your back. Did you know you can choose ergonomic garden tools too?