Ergonomic design means a workspace layout that provides maximum efficiency. So why, then, do we seem to always associate ergonomics with comfort? As it turns out, because the two go hand-in-hand. If you're not comfortable while you're working, you'll spend more time in pain, more time adjusting, and more time taking breaks from your work. You don't get a chance to develop any momentum, and your focus is significantly affected by your discomfort.
With this in mind, what does it mean to have a comfortable place to work? Here are 3 tips that are key in creating an ergonomically optimized workspace.
Make It Adaptable
The modern workplace is way more than just the office. It can be wherever you want it to be. Every day, people work from their couches, their beds, the coffee shop down the street — the key is to ensure that you can adapt to be comfortable and efficient no matter where you're setting up on a given day.
For most people, adaptability demands portable equipment. For example, the Azio Retro Compact Keyboard (with a wrist-saving palm rest) is the perfect size to set down, pick up, and move to your next destination.
Most people who prefer to work in different spots around their home or their office use a light computer or a tablet to be able to easily take their work anywhere.
Even your accessories should be light, like our compact, Heara earbuds, and easy to take from one place to the next. No one wants to carry a big bag around with them, and when the moving mood strikes, you don't want to spend a half-hour packing up your belongings to relocate.
Your Environment Is a Factor
Comfort isn't just physical, and there's significant research out there that suggests that psychological comfort has as much to do with productivity as anything else. One study found that the presents of a few plants in a workspace increased employees' efficiency by an estimated 15%. Having a bright, clean space to work can make more of a difference than you might think.
It works in the opposite way, too. You might like working at your local coffee shop for the atmosphere, but how many times do you find your work interrupted as you unintentionally start eavesdropping on a nearby conversation? Your personal comfort at work often demands a deep understanding of your tendencies and what you need to be at your best.
Remember, "Ergonomic" is Subjective
Comfort and efficiency mean different things to different people, which means there's no standard workspace setup that will work for everyone. Sure, there are physiological best practices to reduce injury. Typing with your wrists at an unforgiving angle can drastically increase your chances of developing carpal tunnel, for example, and a monitor at the wrong height has the potential to be a one-way ticket to neck pain.
Other factors are up to you: If you feel the most comfortable and agile using a computer mouse perfectly designed to fit your hand over your laptop trackpad, that's up to you. If you feel like a standing desk will be better for your back while you work (or your ability to stay alert), go for it. Different workers feel comfortable doing different things — ergonomic design isn't meant to be rigid.
Trust Azio With Your Workspace
Whether you're working in the office, at home, or somewhere that changes daily, Azio has what you need to optimize your space with ergonomic equipment. Keyboards, computer mice, audio equipment, and more, trust Azio to equip your workspace for efficiency and comfort.