Why workspace well-being matters

Some years ago I was using a keyboard and a mouse for work that I really loved. Not too big, not too small, just perfect. It became my favorite keyboard and mouse for years. I did not ask myself any questions when I started to experience hand, shoulder, and neck pains. Certainly, I was traveling a lot and not always having a mouse and keyboard with me and I probably did not have the right posture when working. As the pain increased and I met the chiro practitioner, I was offered to meet with an ergonomist at work. The ergonomist looked at me and my set-up and told me: 1.? the keyboard I was using was too wide for me, 2. the small mouse I used had too much curvature, 3. my desk was too high versus my elbows, and 4. my current set-up did neither with my height (I am a short lady 1.60cm tall) nor my body structure (the width of your shoulders and hand size make a big difference!). Although I did not want to let go of my favorite keyboard which had a numeric keypad, I changed to a flatter mouse and a smaller keyboard (without a numeric keypad). It was well worth it, because within only one week all that neck, thumb, and shoulder pain I had for a while was gone. Forever.

Today, people look for ways to live healthier, more balanced, and more active. We see more employers prioritizing health & wellness for their employees. This is fantastic and long overdue. Millions of people work long hours every day - on average we work 82,000 hours in a lifetime - often in uncomfortable, inactive positions. The productivity and creativity lost in the process are beyond imagination, but there is also the very real cost of strain on the body.

Workspace well-being matters. Living in this new hybrid reality where everything blends, it is more important than ever.? Whether we work from home, the office, or on the go, a personalized set-up adapted to a person’s environment, body size, and needs can make a huge difference to their well-being, and performance.?

This week we are celebrating International Wellbeing Week to help people find balance in their lives and shine a light on the digital side of wellness. It is something we have been putting extra effort into over the past years because when we feel better, we work better. In fact, we have built a dedicated Ergo Lab at Logitech, to better understand the physiological impact of our peripherals on the human body, in particular looking at their effects on muscle activity and posture using state-of-the-art sensors. This enables us to develop great ergonomic products helping many people today. We have learned that 90% of people that use our ergonomic products never go back. That makes us proud because it means we really can help people feel better.?

Making an impact on people’s lives is what drives me, and my team. Let me share my top tips for better comfort (some do not even need a financial investment)

1. Your posture: Always check how you sit: 1.? elbows at about 90 degrees, 2.? lower back support, 3. softer seating, 4. knees at about 90 degrees, and 5. feet flat on the floor. If your chair can’t be lowered enough for the length of your legs, take a shoe box or footrest.
2. Lift your laptop: It can be on a laptop stand or a pile of books. This avoids you from bending your neck.
3. Use an external keyboard/mouse: Once you start moving your laptop up, typing with the laptop lifted up quickly becomes uncomfortable. An external mouse and keyboard help. The shorter keyboard the better because you’re not reaching for your mouse. Having to reach less for your mouse brings your shoulders and elbows closer to a natural and more comfortable posture. As said, your elbows should be near your body and bent at around 90 degrees. So if you have narrow shoulders like me, take a keyboard without a numeric keypad. And choose the right mouse: Not only a mouse is 50% more productive than a laptop built-in touchpad but it will also give a natural posture for your hand: A mouse that is more suited to your hand size, where you don't have to bend your wrist to reach the buttons and the scroll wheel, will put your hand and wrist in a more natural position, reducing strain. There are different kinds of mice and sizes: Depending on your sensitivity you can use a regular mouse, a vertical mouse, or a trackball to avoid using your arm and wrist. One size does not fit all.
4. Use an external webcam: An external webcam, especially if it has an integrated microphone, can help you be seen and heard better, and it reduces the risk of leaning in towards the laptop. On top, you can look people “in the eyes”.?
5. Good Lighting: The right light is important, not too bright, not too dark, and certainly avoid screen glare. Simply by adjusting your laptop’s or monitor’s brightness, you can avoid dry and itchy eyes as well as fatigue.?
6. Move & take regular breaks:? Get away from the screen and move. You can have the best equipment and the best ergonomic setup but if you sit there four hours straight you’ll feel the strain. The body needs to move. You can even take some meetings standing up,? you can raise your desk or set up your laptop on the kitchen counter with your mouse or keyboard. Always have a glass of water at your desk: the more you drink, the better you feel. Force yourself to block your calendar at lunchtime to have a real break and eat without rushing or walking around the block, it will help your mind focus for the rest of the day.

Take a look at this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ViKLtOKm8c8

Remember, sometimes, small things can make a big difference. When you feel better, you work better.?