Choosing a work chair
Your body has evolved to stand upright and be mobile – not to sit at a desk for hours on end. Look for the following features when choosing a home-office chair, and it will be more likely to provide you with long-term comfort:

• A height adjustable seat so that you can rest your feet on the floor, with your thighs parallel to the floor.

• An adjustable seat depth so that your back is supported by the backrest. A seat that is too deep will have you perched on the front. Too shallow, and your thighs will be unsupported.

• An adjustable seat angle. This means that when you lean forward at your desk, the seat will also tilt forward so that your pelvis can maintain a more open position, and your spine can follow its natural curve. The seat should also tilt backwards when you lean back, to vary the pressure on your back and pelvis.

• An adjustable backrest angle. This can be used in conjunction with the adjustable seat angle, so that you can recline away from your desk and rest your back muscles.

• Armrests that are height adjustable so that your arms are supported, taking the strain from your shoulders.

• ...and width adjustable. Armrests at the right width for you will let you keep your upper arms close to your body with your lower arms and wrists in a straight line when using a keyboard or mouse.

• Lumbar support helps to maintain your spine’s natural curve. This is achieved through curves in the backrest, or an extra inserted support.

• Adjustable backrest height so you can set the height of the lumbar support to suit your back.

• A reclining facility allowing the seat and chair back to tilt in a single unit, so that you can vary the pressure on your back and other muscles.

Hints to avoid deskbound misery
Here are some tips on how to avoid that dreadful stiff, achy feeling that can affect you after a long stint at your desk.

Buy an adjustable chair (see Buyer's Tip on Choosing a Work Chair) and use the adjustments. Set the chair up carefully to suit your body dimensions, and get used to using the tilts and variables to alter the pressure on your body as you work.

MOST IMPORTANT TIP: don’t become glued to your chair. Get up and move around every 20 minutes or so. If you can’t do this, then fidget regularly to keep the blood flowing, or stand up and wiggle your bum and shoulders!

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