How ergonomics reduces (work) stress
Do you suffer from stress, for example at work? Do you find it hard to concentrate, often feel tired, and experience a lot of tension in your body? That’s very unpleasant. It hinders you not only in your work but also in your personal life. Chronic stress can even be dangerous. It can lead to serious physical and mental health problems. That’s why it’s important to limit your stress levels. Ergonomics can contribute to this.
Suffering from stress
In our society, stress nowadays seems almost unavoidable. It enters our lives in many ways: through the demands of our work environment and the busyness of our personal lives. Many people face it, and it has a negative impact on our health. But what exactly is stress?
Stress: a natural reaction
Stress is a natural reaction of the body to physical or mental pressure we experience from external factors. Your body responds to something, such as a change or a challenge. This could be related to your work, relationships, health, or finances. Our body responds through a stress response system. We enter fight-or-flight mode. Hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol are released in the body. Your heart rate rises, your breathing accelerates, and your blood pressure increases. In essence, your body is preparing to fight or to flee quickly.
Acute vs chronic stress
Short-term (or “acute”) stress can be very useful. It helps us react quickly in emergency situations. Stress therefore certainly has a function. It only becomes harmful when it lasts for a longer period of time. This is also called chronic stress. Chronic stress can lead to sleep problems, depression, and anxiety. It also affects our immune system. In addition, digestive problems and heart disease may occur. In the workplace, it regularly leads to absenteeism. In short: long-term stress is not only unpleasant but also dangerous.
Ergonomics: more than just posture
A non-ergonomic (work) environment can contribute to the development of unhealthy, prolonged stress. When people think of ergonomics, they often think of “good posture.” While that is a very important element, ergonomics is much broader. To be precise, ergonomics is a scientific discipline focused on designing products and systems that are optimally tailored to people. The idea is to create an environment that is perfectly suited to both our body and mind. The goal is to make activities as comfortable, efficient, and safe as possible.
Why does ergonomics help against stress?
The three main goals of ergonomics (comfort, efficiency, and safety) are closely linked to stress. The degree to which we can work comfortably, efficiently, and safely has a direct impact on our stress levels.
Safety
Dangerous situations immediately trigger our stress response system. A constant sense of insecurity leads to chronic stress. It goes without saying that we must avoid this in the workplace. Ergonomic measures, such as teaching safe working methods and using safety equipment, are essential to prevent accidents. A safe working environment creates trust and significantly lowers stress levels.
Efficiency
Ergonomics is also about efficiency. Awkward work processes, illogical layouts, poor planning, and overly complex tasks can be extremely stressful. Ergonomics optimizes work processes and systems. As a result, everything runs much more smoothly. This saves a lot of hassle and related stress.
Comfort
Discover ergonomic seating solutions
Would you like to equip your (work) environment with ergonomic seating solutions? Then Score is the right place for you! Find ergonomic office chairs, saddle chairs, industrial chairs, stools, and sit-stand stools in our wide range. For more information, simply contact us.
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