With the increasing focus on well-being at the workplace, standing desks and ergonomic seats have become necessary items in any office.
This also reveals an intertwined connection between office space and health.
Most people grow up with a great focus on the importance of good posture, but not many grow up knowing about the intricate relationship between seats and general well-being.
Companies such as VELA Chairs have a great focus on this relationship in their production, which gives everyone a great source to improve their well-being.
However, it is also decisive to understand how and why this relationship between chairs and health is decisive.
Posture Matters: The Backstory
The spine is a central part of the body; it can be compared to the architectural masterpiece of your body, with a good posture being the key to maintaining the structural integrity of the spine.
With this image in your head, you should now think of the seat as the support system for this masterpiece.
If a seat is poorly designed or uncomfortable, then it will sabotage good posture, which can cause many consequences such as back pain, neck strain, and headaches.
Interesting Fact:
Back in the 1990s, Herman Miller designed the first mesh-back office chair.
This is where the ergonomic revolution comes into play.
This movement is aimed at designing seats that support the natural curvature of the spine, which then both promotes a better posture, while also reducing the risk of musculoskeletal problems.
Some vital elements in this movement include lumbar supports and adjustable armrests since such elements can help engineer the chair to be a source of good spinal well-being.
The Standing Desk Renaissance
Even though ergonomic seats became a revolution to spinal problems, they still did not fully grasp all the drawbacks of prolonged sitting.
Statistics:
According to the latest research, in 2022, the global ergonomic chair market size was valued at USD 9.80 billion. Between 2023 and 2030, it is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7%.
This led to the emergence of a counter-culture with the rise of the standing desk.
As it turned out, this was not just a popular movement for a period: It was a paradigm shift in the way workspaces can improve the wellness of workers.
Standing desks are an alternative to sitting down for hours, offering people a break from the sedentary everyday patterns.
Combined with an ergonomic chair, the health of workers seems to be in good hands.
However, one should be aware of the pitfalls related to standing desks: Improper use can lead to other health issues, which also underlines the importance of finding the right balance.
Chairs in The Office – And At Home
It is a hard fact that seats are not solely a product of an office. They are a primal aspect of everyday home life as well.
Ranging from the dining chair for eating, to the comfy one for relaxing, every type has a great role in health and well-being.
Take the dining seat as an example: This is a core element for a positive dining experience, where family conversations and laughter unfold.
If you add an uncomfortable one into the picture, it can turn a nice meal into a torturous experience, which can impact the mood and wellness of everyone at the table.
Or have a look at the cozy armchair, which is supposed to be a personal haven for relaxation.
But if you spend hours in an unsupportive one, it can contribute to aches and pains, which takes away the relaxing aspect of the activity.
Essentially, it all comes down to finding a balance between comfort and support, to ensure that your favorite seat does not become a health hazard in your life.
Chairs and Mental Health – A Mind-Body Connection
The impact seats can have does not stop at physical well-being; It goes beyond into mental well-being.
If you picture yourself in a rigid and uncomfortable one during a vital meeting.
Your focus will probably be disturbed when discomfort slowly takes over your body, which can have wide consequences for your work efforts.
Turn this scenario around, with a comfortable one you will be in an environment that is conducive to concentration and productivity.
Do You Know?:
A study by the American College of Sports Medicine discovered that individuals who spent more than 23 hours per week sitting and watching television had a 64% risk of dying from cardiovascular disease.
In addition, people who sit more have a 147% higher risk of suffering from a heart attack or stroke.
There is also a mental aspect to the act of sitting.
Studies show that sitting for extended periods can contribute to feelings of drowsiness and a decline in the level of mental alertness.
This means that next time you find yourself in a mental fog, you should consider going for a stroll or opting for a more comfortable seat, just to give your brain the possibility to reset and refresh.
The Future of Chairs: Innovations and Trends
With the increasing awareness of the connection between chairs and health, the quest for innovative solutions also increases.
The market seems to be booming with options, from smart seats that adapt to your posture to seats designed for active sitting.
There are even seats in the market that are equipped with sensors that will remind you to stand up or adjust your sitting position, so it becomes your personal wellness coach in a form.
With this booming market, there is a great promise of a dynamic relationship between seats and health, where technology and design converge to create a harmonious balance between comfort and well-being.
It really is an exciting era for everyone who spends much of their time sitting down.
