If you work in an office of any kind, no doubt you have heard the buzz about ‘ergonomic office furniture’ and the importance of ergonomics for optimum work productivity and relief of stress in the workplace. But what does it all mean and how does it relate to you?

Consider first the following scenarios, which as an office employee or a boss will probably sound familiar: Due to your long legs which don’t quite fit under your desk, coupled with the lack of opportunity to stretch and move around during the work day, you suffer from cramped legs and stiff muscles and joints at the end of most days; you go home most nights with fatigued eyes and a cramped neck caused by straining to see your computer monitor; since your feet don’t reach the ground when you sit in your office chair, you suffer from increasing leg cramps; you have developed carpal tunnel syndrome from repetitive strain/poor posture of your hand and wrist muscles while using your mouse and keyboard. If any of these scenarios sounds familiar to you or if you experience other physical discomforts in your work environment, then the topic of ergonomics is one you should be personally interested in!

In a nutshell, the ‘science of ergonomics’ studies how the body works, and in turn, how to adapt the workplace environment to better fit natural human movements. This modern science has greatly influenced the realm of contemporary office furniture design, giving rise to popular brand names such as office master furniture, whose specialty is the creation of user-friendly and ergonomic office furniture products. The word “ergonomics” itself is comprised of the Greek roots “ergon,” meaning “work,” and “nomoi,” meaning “law” or “‘rule.” Hence “ergonomics” is the law of work.

What does this mean for practically? It means that a good ergonomic setup will optimize worker energy, comfort, and productivity, and decrease stress and work-related injury. Towards these ends, new lines of modern-day office furniture feature ergonomic furnishings and accessories such as ergonomic keyboards, chairs, desks, computer workstations, lighting, and more.

Probably no piece of ergonomic office furniture has received more attention than the office chair. It is estimated that office employees are spending eight or more hours each day in a sedentary position, glued to their desk or computer screen. For this reason, the experts recommend that you spare no expense when it comes to investing in a high-quality office chair. Without the right back support, the right chair height, the right chair tilt and even the right armrests, you can end up with sore and stiff muscles, a feeling of fatigue throughout your workday, and possible several trips to the doctor or chiropractor…

Do yourself a huge favor and take advantage of the great new science of ergonomics! Check out the wide array of ergonomic chairs available on the market, such as the mesh back task chair, whose mesh back design molds itself to the contours of your back, giving you support in all the right places. Moreover, mesh back office chairs are naturally ventilated, and various models of this ergonomic chair feature adjustable chair heights, adjustable arms and arm heights, a swivel function, and optional tilt positions. Best of all, not only can you find high-quality ergonomic office furniture at everyday affordable prices, but for all you fashion-conscious folks, you’ll be happy to learn that there are many attractive and modish-looking ergonomic office furniture pieces which feature chrome frames, platinum finishes, sleek metallic designs, fashionable fabrics, and trendy colors.

However, even the best and most advanced office furniture and accessories in the world cannot replace the ideal antidote to sitting for extended periods of time, which is to get up and WALK AROUND! Whenever possible, take regular breaks from sitting, stretch your arms and legs, rest or refresh tired eyes, and enjoy optimal health on and off the job.