In today's digital world, it's quite common for individuals to spend around half of their day in front of a screen. Most people juggle between their computers, smartphones, tablets, and televisions all day long, both in their personal and professional life. Soaring screen time is one of the present-day challenges that we all face. And the challenge may intensify if your job requires you to spend most of your working time at a computer.
Let's face it. Prolonged exposure to screens is all that we struggle with. And most of the jobs that require working on the screen involve prolonged sitting. Sitting at a desk all day is one of the leading causes of pain and discomfort in the lower back, ranging from mild conditions such as stiffness and spasm to more severe health conditions, including spinal disc bulge and spinal stenosis.
While ergonomic office chairs are designed to solve most of the concerns associated with prolonged sitting, you may still experience lower back pain and discomfort because the human body is not designed to remain stationary for long.
If you have tried different types of ergonomic office chairs and your lower back problems still persist, it's time to look for sitting solutions that provide a healthy alternative to conventional office chairs.
In what follows, we share a few offices sitting options that are unique alternatives to conventional ergonomic office chairs. Give them a try and figure out what works best for you.
1. Investing in a Standing Desk
An alternative to conventional sitting is investing in a standing desk. A raised desk allows you to work while standing, which solves all the problems associated with prolonged sitting, including backache.
Standing while working engages your core muscles more than sitting which helps you maintain a better posture and improved spinal alignment. According to research, employees who work while standing burn around 40% more calories than those sitting. The other benefit of working while standing is that it makes you feel more energized and productive. And since standing aids in improving posture, unlike sitting, it doesn't result in compression on your spine, which contributes to a healthy spine.
However, like prolonged sitting, prolonged standing comes with unique challenges. Prolonged standing can lead to inflammation of the veins, which may progress over time and lead to painful varicose veins. Moreover, prolonged standing can negatively impact your joints and muscles, including your back and core muscles.
Hence, a better alternative to sitting is investing in a height-adjustable standing desk, which allows you to change your position from sitting to standing and vice versa. With the use of a height-adjustable standing desk, you can switch between sitting and standing, which can also help manage chronic backache. Moreover, using a height-adjustable standing desk also allows you to enjoy all the benefits of working while standing without experiencing the downsides of prolonged standing.
If you choose to invest in a height-adjustable standing desk as a workspace solution for a healthy spine, be sure to follow these tips;
1. Set up your height-adjustable standing desk at a height where you can comfortably place your elbows while working, and you should be able to look straight at your screen without bending your neck,
2. Ensure that your arms can easily bend at a 90o angle while you use your computer,
3. Don't forget to invest in appropriate accessories, such as an anti-fatigue mat that helps alleviate pressure from your feet and knees while standing. You can also invest in a footrest or pedestal that will help you shift your weight as you switch from standing to sitting position,
When you alternate between sitting and standing, you can ensure that your body gets the rest and support it needs without straining your back.
While you can find several different types of height-adjustable standing desks and desk converters that can help you accomplish your objective, one of the height-adjustable standing desks we recommend is the E7.
E7 makes one of the most sturdy and durable height-adjustable standing desks featuring outstanding height-adjustability and exceptional stability at all heights. The desk is strong enough to hold up to 355 lbs. and features programmable height presets that allow you to customize heights easily. The E7 provides top-quality performance and exceptional durability built to last; however, it also offers a 15-year warranty that's much more than what the competitors have to offer.
If you are looking for a height-adjustable standing desk for your office or home office, we recommend E7, which outperforms the competition in the market. Find out more about E7 and other possible standing desk and desk converter solutions here.
2. Go for an Exercise Ball
If you spend a lot of time sitting in front of your screen, a unique sitting solution that can help you maintain a healthy spine is an exercise ball. Sitting on an exercise ball makes an outstanding solution as it requires you to strive to balance your body constantly. And while balancing your body, you get the following benefits;
A good posture in the absence of a backrest,
More engaged core muscles due to an effort to maintain your position which helps you maintain a good posture and a healthier spine, and
Slight activity as your exercise ball allows you to bounce up and down.
If you are planning to invest in an exercise ball as a workplace sitting solution, make sure you choose the right size of the exercise ball. Exercise balls are available in various sizes, so choose the one that best fits your size (depending on your height and weight).
Moreover, ensure that the exercise ball you choose allows you to maintain your hips and knees at the same level as it will enable the appropriate position of your thighs, that's integral for maintaining the correct posture.
Furthermore, it's best to go for an exercise ball with a base at the bottom, as a ball with a base is less likely to roll away when you stand up.
When using an exercise ball as an alternative sitting solution for a healthy spine, don't forget that you will still need to take short breaks, as prolonged sitting, even on an exercise ball, isn't healthy for your spine.
3. Opt for a Recliner Office Chair
For individuals who don't prefer sitting upright on an ergonomic office chair, a recliner chair makes a great office-sitting alternative. A recliner chair allows you to work comfortably in a reclined position instead of sitting upright, as it features a footrest and a headrest. Moreover, you can also find an ergonomically-positioned laptop stand that complements a recliner chair, as it allows you to manage your tasks conveniently while maintaining a comfortable sitting position.
When you choose a recliner office chair over an ergonomic office chair, you get the following benefits;
Reduced pressure on your lower back, which helps you maintain a healthy spine,
Helps maintain an appropriate body position as it prevents you from slumping forward,
The use of an ergonomically-positioned laptop stand along with a recliner office chair also helps reduce strain on your neck and arms,
A healthier posture ensures a healthy spine.
Here it is important to remember that reclining office chairs from different suppliers offer varying levels of reclination that may work for individuals with varying heights and preferences. Hence, you may need to try a few angles before deciding which angle works best for you. If your spine needs additional support, you can place a small rolled towel right behind your lower back for extra comfort.
4. Choose a Kneeling Chair
Kneeling chairs have recently gotten a lot of attention and have appeared as a great alternative to conventional office-sitting solutions. The use of a kneeling chair helps reduce pressure off your spine and allows you to maintain a more neutral spine position. Moreover, a kneeling chair provides a comfortable seat angled forward and a backrest that encourages good posture. Furthermore, the unique design of the kneeling helps shift some of your body weight to your shins and knees.
While kneeling chairs make a great alternative to conventional office sitting solutions, some users may find it difficult to use a kneeling chair as it can cause pain in the shins. However, if you continue to take regular short breaks, you can easily overcome this problem.
Final Words
As we share a list of unique office-sitting solutions, know that it's not an exhaustive list, and you can still try out any other option that you feel is right for you. However, whatever option you use as an office sitting solution, make sure you choose the one that helps you maintain an appropriate posture, as it is integral for a healthy spine.
Moreover, regardless of the solution you choose, don't forget to take regular breaks several times a day. And while you take a break and go for a short walk, always stretch your neck, back, and hamstrings, as it helps improve your spine's stability, strength and flexibility so you can look forward to a healthy spine.
Find out more about ergonomic office solutions here.
