Ergonomics is about enhancing your comfort and productivity while at work. And why wouldn't it be important if you have to spend hours at your desk? After all, only when you have an ergonomic desk setup can you manage physical and mental stress well and improve your focus.
However, to get the maximum benefits, you need to ensure that you have a simplified ergonomic desk setup to enhance your focus. Are you wondering how you can have a simplified ergonomic setup?
Continue reading to find out how to simplify your ergonomic desk setup to boost your comfort and productivity. But before we get into the details, let's examine why you need to simplify your ergonomic desk setup.
Why Do You Need to Simplify Your Ergonomic Desk Setup?
So, why is there a need to simplify your ergonomic desk setup when you already have a comfortable workstation? What are the benefits?
Let's take a look.
Fewer Distractions = Improved Focus
Have you ever worked on a cluttered desk? You would know how overwhelming it can be. So one of the biggest advantages of simplifying your ergonomic desk setup is improved focus. When there are fewer things around you to worry about, you'll be able to concentrate better on the task at hand.
Decluttered Space = Enhanced Functionality
When your desk setup is simple, you're more focused and you end up being more productive. You can conveniently find everything you need to function right in front of you, which saves a lot of time and hassle, hence enhancing functionality.
Fewer Items on the Desk = Improved Organization
With a simplified ergonomic desk setup, you'll be forced into a better organization. If you move the clutter off your desk and place it on the floor, it won't make much of a difference to your organization, but since you can't leave everything on the floor for too long, you'll ultimately be pushed to improve the organization of everything that's on your desk and beyond.
Sorted Out Workstation = Refined Aesthetics
With a minimalist ergonomic desk setup, you not only improve your desk's functionality but also enhance its elegance, making it an aesthetically pleasing place to work on.
Now that you're clear on all the benefits of why you should simplify your ergonomic desk setup let's look at how you can do it.
5 Steps to Simplify Your Ergonomic Desk Setup
Step # 1 - Start by Removing Everything
First things first. If you're planning to set up a simplified workstation, cleanse the palette. With a clean outlook of your workstation, you'll be in a better position to figure out how you can optimize your workspace and simplify your ergonomic desk setup.
Step # 2- Focus on the Essentials, Then Stop
When you're starting off with a clean workstation, you can clearly think of all the things that your workstation needs.
But for now, let's focus on the essentials.
Think of all the things that are absolutely required for you to function at your desk. Is it your computer? If you've got a desk job, then a computer or a laptop would fall in this category. And it goes without saying that if you're using a computer or a laptop, you can't use them without your mouse and keyboard, so these essentials also come on the desk.
Now you can think of all the other essentials, including phone, and wireless peripherals, that you may need to work efficiently on your computer or laptop. Does a notebook fall in this category? Certainly not. You don't need a pen, pencil, or notebook to use your laptop or computer, so while these items are vital office essentials, you can conveniently place them in your drawer, and they don't always have to be on the desk.
You can also think about anything else that is essential and can affect your functionality at your workstation. Think of a light source, for example. If you tend to work at night, a light source such as a lamp is what you need to function well on your desk.
Is there anything else that is absolutely essential for your functionality at your workstation? If yes, then it goes to the desk. If not, then it should be off of your desk!
So far, your list of essentials includes a computer/laptop, a keyboard and mouse, and maybe a lamp if you work in the dark or at night.
Step # 3 – Invest in Productivity Tools
You can find tons of productivity tools that are known for enhancing productivity at work. However, you don't need them all. While productivity tools help enhance your efficiency, having too many productivity tools can actually take up more space on your workstation and can quickly convert it in a cluttered workspace where it's challenging to focus and be productive.
Hence, you need to figure out which productivity tools can contribute to your productivity the most and then choose the essential ones.
Some productivity tools that may make a good addition to your ergonomic desk setup include the following.
A Monitor Arm
If you're using a conventional desktop, one of the productivity tools that we recommend is a monitor arm. A monitor arm allows you to attach the screen of your computer so you can enjoy a better viewing angle at an appropriate distance.
Using a monitor arm supports healthier posture by reducing neck and trunk strain. It also helps reduce the risk of repetitive strain injuries and eye strain while allowing you to enjoy a well-organized, decluttered workspace.
While you can find a wide range of monitor arms on the market, we recommend the Single Monitor Mount D7L by FlexiSpot.
Find out more about this amazing productivity tool here.
A Laptop Riser
If you prefer to work on your laptop, one of the productivity tools that make a great addition to your ergonomic desk setup is a laptop riser. You can place the laptop riser under your laptop as it helps resolve several ergonomic problems associated with prolonged laptop usage. It raises the level of the screen, so it's easier for you to view the screen and work on your laptop without straining your neck. Moreover, when appropriately positioned, a laptop riser allows you to adjust your distance from the screen, hence contributing to lesser eye strain.
A laptop riser also helps declutter your workstation and improve the airflow under the laptop removing the trapped warm air underneath the laptop.
A Keyboard Drawer
A keyboard drawer allows you to position your keyboard close to your body to maintain a neutral body posture by bending your elbows at 90-degree and avoiding resting your wrists on the desk.
Other productivity tools that can help you enhance your efficiency at your ergonomic desk setup include a footrest and a vertical mouse that allow for improved body posture.
Step # 4 - Remove Distractions
So, you barely have stuff at your workstation.
But there may still be distractions that you need to remove in order to simplify your ergonomic desk setup. Can you see the cables that run through your desk equipment that give a cluttered appearance to your workstation? That's the type of distraction you need to remove.
Focus on cable management by hiding wires on top of your desk or underneath the desk.
When you manage to cut down on visual clutters, you'll notice a significant improvement in your productivity.
Step # 5 - Make Your Workstation Inviting
Indeed, you have a minimalistic workstation, but that doesn't have to be an uninviting place. After all, you would want your desk to be exciting enough so you can work, play and do everything in between.
It makes a great idea to invest in plants, art, and lighting. Go for a piece of wall art for your workstation that doesn't take up space on your desk but adds color and appeal to your desk. Think about adding a few indoor plants that don't need enough water and can still thrive at your desk. You can also consider placing lights in the background or under your desk to brighten up your workstation.
Remember, your workstation can still be an inviting and comfortable space, even with very few pieces of gear. All you need to do is to look around and add things on your desk that don't take up much space yet liven it up.
Wrapping It Up
If you're an employee with a desk job, you'll likely be spending a lot of time at your workstation. So why not keep it simple to enjoy enhanced focus and improved productivity? Try out this step-by-step approach to simplify your ergonomic desk setup and upgrade your working experience.
