| Comfortable office chairs can do wonders for | | | | Investing in such a chair is essential for individuals who |
| productivity as well as employee satisfaction in the | | | | spend a significant portion of each workday at their |
| workplace. Chairs meant for personal use are not | | | | desk. When you sit in the chair, the seat should hit you |
| one-size-fits-all; instead, allow each of your employees | | | | mid-thigh, allowing your feet to rest flat on the floor |
| to give some input and select the office chair that best | | | | with your knees bent at a right angle. The chair back |
| suits his or her needs. Proper selection requires the | | | | should support your spine in a straight and neutral |
| consideration of chair size, shape, ergonomics, height, | | | | position, reducing the temptation to slouch. If you |
| style, and adjustability. You will find that with a little | | | | choose to use the arm rests, they should be positioned |
| effort, all of us can find and enjoy comfortable office | | | | such that your elbows hang naturally along the side of |
| chairs. | | | | your body with the weight distributed evenly from |
| Chair Size and Shape | | | | elbow through your forearm rather than up at your |
| Select a chair size and general shape that mimics your | | | | wrist. |
| own body shape in order to maximize your comfort. | | | | Shorter individuals may find it more comfortable to sit |
| Your hips should fit easily into the chair, leaving you | | | | forward in the chair rather than using the backrest. Try |
| roughly three inches of clearance on each side. If this | | | | to maintain good posture by engaging your core |
| space is too small, you are likely to feel cramped by | | | | muscles to provide your extremities with a solid base. |
| the arms of the chair, and you may catch on one or | | | | If you tend to sit cross-legged, be sure to shift |
| both as you attempt to sit and stand. If the clearance | | | | periodically throughout the day in order to maintain |
| space is too wide, you will have to hold your arms out | | | | healthy blood flow. Chronic tingling sensations in any |
| at an unnatural distance in order to use the arm rests. | | | | limb can be an indication of deteriorating joint and |
| The most comfortable office chairs will support your | | | | muscle health. |
| arms without inducing any torque on your shoulders or | | | | Adjustability Allows for Fine-Tuning |
| other joints. | | | | The support that your body needs is likely to change |
| Proper Ergonomics | | | | over time, which is why the ideal and most |
| Furniture labeled as "ergonomic" tends to carry a hefty | | | | comfortable office chairs are adjustable in many |
| price tag, and comfortable office chairs are no | | | | dimensions. The seat height, chair depth, and backrest |
| exception. An ergonomically designed office chair | | | | tilt should all be variable, allowing you to truly customize |
| seeks to increase your comfort level by supporting | | | | the chair to suit your needs. For the best results, have |
| proper posture, thus relieving joint pain and preventing | | | | a friend or co-worker adjust the various features for |
| long-term damage to joints, tendons, and ligaments. | | | | you as you maintain a proper sitting position. |