With more people working from home than ever before, it's important to make sure your home workspace is healthy for your back and spine.
Health and wellness expert Christine Lusita, the author of the "Right Fit Formula," virtually stopped by TODAY to talk with Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager about the best way to ergonomically outfit your home office.
"The key to a successful home workspace is an adjustable one. Good posture starts from the ground up," Lusita said. Read on to learn about her top 7 tips for an ergonomic home office.
1. J+S Vision Blue Light Shield Computer Reading Glasses
These glasses shield against blue light, which is emitted by screens and phones. This helps reduce eye strain, minimize headaches and make your work-from-home experience more enjoyable.
2. Posturite Wireless Penguin Mouse
An ergonomic mouse like this one can reduce strain on your hands and fingers during a long workday. The vertical alignment might seem strange, but encourages a more comfortable operating position, and can be easily transitioned between right and left hand use.
3. Humanscale Keyboard Systems
This adjustable keyboard system lets you set up your desk in the most comfortable way for you. The sloped but adjustable keyboard allows you to maximize the time "spent working in a neutral hand, wrist, and upper body posture," says Lusita.
4. VersaDesk Power Pro
This desk allows you to move between seated and standing positions quickly, without having to commit to a standing desk. Electronically powered, it can be adjusted to meet whatever height is most comfortable for you.
5. X-Chair Under Desk 3" Footrest
Keep your feet up even when you're hard at work! Lusita recommends starting "from the ground up" to make sure you have good posture, and one of the best ways to do that is with a movable footrest.
"This allows you to get all those really nice angles, from the ankle from the knee and from the hip," she said. The footrest also allows you to lean back in your chair and take full advantage of the support the chair offers.
6. X-Chair with Headrest
Lusita said that a fancy chair isn't necessary, but if you're looking to splurge, this X-chair adjusts to keep every part of your body supported. If you're looking for something simpler, Lusita said to make sure you find a chair that has adjustable lumbar support.
"That fills that gap between your natural curve and the end of the chair," Lusita pointed out. "It allows you to sit back comfortably and work without strain or pain."
Even if you can't get a new chair, it's easy to support your spine with just a pillow. Just tuck a small, round pillow or rolled-up towel behind your back, find your own personal curve and lean back and relax. Jenna admitted that she's been using that exact set-up!
7. RitFit Single Resistance Exercise Band with Comfortable Handle
Lusita also recommended getting up, taking a break, and moving around a bit frequently during the workday. This exercise band is one of her go-to workout tools, since it's easy to use and can be incorporated into many simple workouts.
For more stories like this, check out:
- These simple tech items will transform your space into a home office
- The best desktop computers to upgrade your home office
- Working from home? 6 tech products to make it easier, according to Consumer Reports
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