Top 5 Office Chair Posture Tips

In Singapore, we spend long hours at work. Many of us spend at least eight hours a day at the office. Because it takes up a significant portion of our waking hours, it’s crucial to adopt healthy posture while working at our desks. Poor posture can cause pain in the back, neck, arms and shoulders. Therefore, correct posture is key to maintaining or improving the health of the spine.

Think of ergonomic office chairs and what come to mind are the adjustable elements of the chair. But why is it important to adjust different parts of the office chair? An ergonomic office chair allows you to adjust each part of the chair according to your proportions and the comfort level needed. An ergonomic chair prevents slouching and thus reduces the load on your back.

For example, the office chair has to push your back forward when you sit back in the chair. This tension, however, should not be excessive as it can also cause back pain. Ideally, look for a chair that allows you to raise or lower the lumbar support.

Many might think that having an ergonomic chair brings the end of body pains. It is simply not true, as you’ll still need to maintain good posture. Here we’ve put together five must-know office chair posture tips:

1. Office workers often make the mistake of sitting forward on the edge of their chairs. Instead, you should be sitting with your back fully resting against the back of your chair. Be aware that your bottom needs to be pressed against the back of the chair. Not doing so means you’re actually slouching or slumping, and that puts stress on your lower back and other parts of your spine.

2. Chairs are made with different dimensions to suit different users. That’s why it’s very important to pay attention to these details when purchasing a desk chair: the back rest, lumbar support, height, arm rests and seat depth, of all which should ideally be adjustable. Most seat depths are not adjustable, so make sure the chair has the proper seat depth for you. First, sit all the way back in the chair. Make a fist and place it at the back of your calf. Can you fit your fist between the front edge of the chair and your calf? If yes, your legs have enough room for circulation. You can also place a cushion at your back if your chair is too deep.

3. Chair armrests are optional features. Some prefer to have them, some without. If you have adjustable armrests on your chair, adjust the height of the armrest such that your arms are slightly lifted at the shoulders. Armrests at the proper height help support the elbows, relieving weight off the shoulders.

4. Check your seat height so that you are not sitting too high. When the chair’s too high, it can result in ankle swelling. The chances increase when your body already experiencing poor circulation. Your knees should be even with your hips or slightly higher. Keep your feet flat on the floor. If your feet doesn’t rest comfortably on the floor, use a footrest with your office chair.

5. Sit in the office chair with your shoulders straight. Make a conscious effort not to slouch or crane your neck forward. Laptop users are most prone to adopting poor posture, so it’s best to plug in a full monitor for work on the desk so that the screen is at eye level.

Even with ergonomic chairs, you do need to get up, walk around and stretch. Set a timer on your smartphone or computer to remind you to stretch. At Soho Living, we have a wide range of office chairs with varying functions to cater to different users. Our team at Soho Living will be able to advise you further on ergonomic chairs, so feel free to contact us if you have queries.