2FINDINGYOUR COMFORT ZONE
A Range of Positions
Rather than working in a single posture,find your comfort zone. Your comfort zone is a range of positions that is generally appropriate and comfortable for your given work situation.
Move
Sitting still for long periods can cause discomfort and muscle fatigue. Changing postures is good for many parts of your body, including your spine, joints, muscles, and circulatory system.
♦Within your comfort zone, change postures often throughout the day.
♦Take frequent short breaks: stand up, carefully stretch, or walk around.
♦Frequently switch to brief tasks that require getting up, such as retrieving output from a printer, filing paperwork, or consulting a colleague down the hall.
♦If your furniture offers a wide range of adjustments, you might find it comfortable to switch back and forth between sitting and standing positions.
Different Tasks, Different Postures
Your choice of posture within your comfort zone may vary with your task. For example, you may find a reclined posture most comfortable for computer tasks, and a more upright posture more comfortable for tasks requiring frequent reference to papers or books.
Ordering Your Adjustments
The order in which you make various adjustments to your body position and work area may vary depending on the adjustability of your furniture. For tips on how to order your adjustments, see Chapter 5, “Ordering Your Adjustments.”
TIPS
That afternoon slump
Pay particular attention to adjusting your posture in the afternoon when you may tend to get fatigued.
Everything is connected
When you reposition any one part of your body, you may need to adjust other parts as well.
AVOID!
Don't sit in one fixed posture all day. Avoid slouching forward.
Be sure not to lean back too far.
5
