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If you work from home, you’ve probably tried to create a healthy working environment for yourself, including purchasing the perfect chair – so, what are the best bean bags when working from home?
The most important things to look for in an office bean bag is that it is relaxing and comfortable. It should provide strong back, neck and head support and be easy to get in and out from.
Today I will talk about the best home office bean bags, including those that have been ergonomically designed. I will also give tips on how to reduce back pain after you have been sitting for a while. I will provide insight on how you can use a laptop on a bean bag and a footstool while working. I will also discuss how relaxation actually helps you to be more productive.
Get ready to learn how to design the most comfortable environment for your home office.
Best Home Office Bean Bags
A bean bag chair for your home office may seem unconventional, but it can actually be a wise addition. They are not only a fun addition but also an ergonomic one.
A bean bag chair will help keep your body moving, which is important to minimise pain and discomfort.Here are my recommendations on where you can find them.
Bean bags and ergonomics
If you have joint pain or back pain consider using a bean bag in your work-space. Workplace ergonomics is the science of designing the workplace, whilst keeping in mind;
- Your capabilities and limitations as a worker. It is important that your workplace is ergonomically designed, as it;
- Removes risk factors that lead to musculoskeletal injuries, such as awkward posture.
- Allows for increased productivity.
The filling used in bean bags conforms to your body.
This supports your muscles, relieves pressure and assists with relieving pain. A bean bag also provides postural support. By supporting the spine you’ll stop your lower back from slumping. Your spine will then support your neck, which will help prevent your shoulders from slouching.
If you have worked on a computer for extended hours, you’ll recognise the pain of:
- Joint aches
- Back, neck and shoulder aches
- Headaches
Think about the formation of a typical office chair and you’ll know why;
- Most are on wheels.
- Others are square-shaped, motionless, basically built to induce pain.
When sitting in these chairs, you twist when reaching for something, this causes backaches. You also don’t have much power to control the distance between you and your computer screen. This causes you to strain you eyes, leading to headaches.
Traditional office chairs do not adhere to the standard rules of ergonomics. That’s just one reason why bean bag chairs, though unconventional, are becoming more popular.
An ergonomic tip to give you the ultimate experience working from your bean bag is to add a Back Pillow – Your lower back needs the proper amount of support.
Bean bags do provide this support, but you can always add more by using a small pillow or rolled-up towel. Just place the pillow or towel between your back and the back of the bean bag.
Reduce back pain after sitting for a while
Let’s go over a few standard tips on how to reduce back pain when you sit in front of the computer;
- Take regular breaks – You shouldn’t sit in a chair for more than an hour, even if it is a bean bag chair.
Remember you must take short breaks and get up and move around. Every 10 minutes, just take a 10-20 second break by taking your hands off your keys. Every 30 – 60 minutes, take a proper 2 – 5 minute break and get up.
Make sure you stretch. Do anything else to get your blood pumping.
Take a short walk around your house, walk outdoors, or even march on the spot. Movement will improve your circulation, which will have slowed significantly after sitting so long. It will also lubricate your joints, preventing stiffness.
- Roll your eyes – Yes, really. Looking at the computer for more than 20 minutes strains your eyes. You can prevent this by rolling your eyes.
Some simple exercises include:
- Roll your eyes clockwise then counterclockwise – a few times each way.
- Place your hands on eyes gently for 30 seconds, giving them a break from the light of your screen.
- Look away from your screen and instead focus on objects on the wall or floor.
- Move your hands – Try a few hand exercises while still in your chair.
- Put elbows on desk, use one hand to bend the other back towards your forearm, and hold briefly.
- Fan your fingers as far apart as you possibly can and hold, then make a fist, then release.
- Curl Your Toes – Swollen ankles and feet are common after sitting at a desk for hours.
Moving your feet can help avoid this.
- Rotate your ankles in slow circles, then in reverse.
- Flex your toes up, then curl them under, release, then repeat.
Please note this exercise works best with shoes off.
- Raise your feet.
An ottoman in your work-space helps as you can place your feet on it when you need to.
See below “Using a footstool when working” for more information.
How to use a laptop on a bean bag
What you’ll most recognise are images of people working from a bean bag chair with their laptop sitting directly on their legs.
However, this is not ideal, as it puts strain on your wrists, elbows and forearms. After a few hours use you’ll notice cramps and joint aches.
To prevent this pain, you can use a lap desk. This way you can adjust your computer screen so it’s where it should be – eye level. In fact, its’ entire set-up adjusts to your body.
Using a footstool when working
Incorrectly placed legs and feet can put ill-advised pressure on your back muscles. To prevent this strain, your feet should be placed flat on the ground while working at a desk.
An ergonomic footrest allows you to place your feet on the ground if you are otherwise unable. The ideal way to sit is to keep your knees a little higher than the hips – up to 90 degrees.
You can view our range of footrests here. These will also allow you to raise your feet when they need a break, to prevent swelling.
Relaxation helps you to be more productive
When you are more comfortable, you are more productive.
Here at Bliss Bean Bags, we have served a number of clients in the corporate world.
The relaxed work environment created by our bean bags is designed to stimulate productivity.
A small selection of the well-known companies we have served include;
- iinet
- MYOB
- 3M
- Pfizer
- The Sebel
- Yamaha
- Sony
The results speak for themselves.
Relieving your mental stress by taking a small break also increases your productivity. You might actually be less productive if you don’t take any rest, than if you take some breaks.
Doing something simple like getting up for a glass of water can be amazing for your productivity. As you get away from the computer screen and stretch your legs, your brain gets refreshed and your energy increases.
Bean bags in the office also help with health problems such as back pain or heart disease. So anything that helps create relaxation also helps save up for your future productivity.
Conclusion
Although it may seem unusual, consider purchasing a bean bag for your home office. Using it to replace your traditional office chair could be the best decision your ever made for your health and productivity.
Make sure you choose a comfortable, ergonomically designed bean bag. That is one that provides strong support for your head, neck and back, and is easy to move about in.
This bean bag will adapt to your body and relieve discomfort. Your modern day office is no longer connected directly to the desk.
With WiFi and cordless devices, you are able to move around more and walk around more. When you move around more, you will suffer less pain and it will increase your productivity. The feeling of relaxation you get from your bean bag will also increase your productivity.
It’s a win-win situation.