Ergonomic impacts with remote work

Ergonomics is an applied science which involves the process of creating a work space, products and/or systems so that the space is fit for the person who is using the space. This will ensure that the person who is using the space will interact the most efficiently and safely at home. Having a properly set up work station can improve your working day and help to prevent injury. 

Why is ergonomics important when working from home?

By having a properly set up work station is important for your physical health as it can prevent pain when working from home. If you begin to feel pain when working from home, this will take you mind off the task at hand and your focus will shift to the pain you are experiencing. This will make you a less efficient and productive worker. That is why here at Fizfit we conducted research to understand the ergonomic impacts from remote work has had on the Irish working and student population.

In May 2021, Fizfit carried out research in conjunction with the DCU business school to understand the ergonomic impacts from remote work that have been experienced by the Irish workforce and student population. Results from our research show just why ergonomics when working from home should be of importance to all workers and students.

Our findings have shown that there after nearly 18 months into the 'new normal' of working from home almost 57% of workers are experiencing pain that is now having an impact on their working day. These findings show that there has been a clear and notable impact on respondent’s physical health as a result of remote work or learning.  

Results from the survey also show that almost two-thirds of the workforce are now experiencing new lower back or neck pain, all of which is a result of a poor ergonomic working environment. With people spending more time sitting at their desk during the day with less trips for coffee or to the kitchen in the office, sitting in a static position all day is causing these new pains for workers. These longer periods at the desk are leading to the Irish working and student population to experience a more sedentary lifestyle.

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Why is ergonomics important for students to understand?

In Ireland more than one-third of students (39%) are studying from a shared living space such as their kitchen or living room. With over three quarters of students using their laptop as their primary device when studying, this is increasing the risk of poor posture among the student population along with them developing neck and back pain. 

A students physical environment is a key element to learning. Good posture, lighting and a comfortable environment will make it easier for students to maintain high levels of concentration throughout their day. That is why students need to be aware of their ergonomic habits when studying from home to ensure that they have optimum concentration levels. Not only will this ensure you have optimum concentration levels, having a dedicated study space which has a focus on proper ergonomics will reduce stress too. Understanding ergonomics from a young age can help in later life ensuring that you have correct posture going forward in life.

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How to prevent back pain when working from home?

With a significant proportion of the working population now experiencing new pain when working from home, preventing back pain is key to ensuring that you do not develop longer term pain. The number one cause of back pain when sitting all day is due to poor posture such as sitting slouched or hunched over.

There are a number of ways to prevent back pain when sitting at your desk all day. An orthopaedic back cushion can help to support your back throughout the working day. With the addition of this chair support it helps mitigate the risks of developing back pain throughout the day. Orthopaedic back cushions are ergonomically moulded to provide support for your lower back and help to relieve any pressure and improve posture. By using an orthopaedic back cushion it will improve your posture when sitting and prevent you from slouching over at your desk. 

These orthopaedic back cushions are easy to transport and can be attached to any chair, making them the perfect addition to any home office.

What products help with back pain?

Back pain can be further reduced by pain can be reduced with physical activity and using tools that can help to reduce pain. 

If you are suffering from back pain due to working from home there are a number of products you can use which will help to relieve pain alongside your memory foam back cushion. 

Fizfit have a range of products to help reduce this pain such as foam rollers and trigger balls.

Foam roller and trigger balls can be used to help relieve the tension that has built up in your body during the working day. These two products will help to release the tension in your body through a self-myofascial technique which is more commonly known as self-massage. Foam rollers will target larger areas on your body such as your upper back, where poor posture can increase the tension in your upper back. Using a foam roller will help to loosen up the tension that has built up.

Trigger balls will be used for more precise targeting of tension that has built up in your back. You can keep this ball on your desk as a reminder to use the ball throughout the day to relieve any built up stress or tension from poor posture or stress of the working day. To relieve back pain, simply stand with your back against the wall, place the ball at the area you feel tension. Lean into the wall and roll up and down, if you find a knot hold still to release this knot.

Why is it important to stay active when working from home?

It is also important to ensure that you incorporate physical activity into your day. Physical activity is essential in your daily life as it can be an excellent way to keep your mind healthy, keep stress levels low, improve your immune system and will help to increase your productivity levels. When working from home we tend to end up sitting at our desks longer than when in the office. Which in turn is leading to a sedentary lifestyle.

There are a number of ways you can ensure that you keep moving throughout the day. Having exercise equipment near you, that way you can easily pick up the equipment after your working day and factor a workout into your daily routine. Our Fizfit resistance bands are the perfect exercise equipment for your home office, they are super versatile and can be used to create a great workout from home.

The Fizfit elite yoga mat is perfect for yoga or for a workout. Yoga is ideal for stretching out your body after sitting all day and can help to prevent injury. Why not check out our top 5 yoga poses to do when after you have been sitting at your desk all day.