The National Recliner

I recently had the pleasure of spending some quality time in an absolutely great sofa from Ekornes, a Norwegian manufacturer that specializes in ergonomic seating. The Stressless line is a very high quality versatile grouping that offers high and low back recliners with articulating headrests and lumbar supports. With a simple push the seats recline without any levers or gadgets and glides into any position for a truly conforming fit. On the high back models the headrest smoothly curves forward allowing for a perfect television viewing or reading position. In the same motion the inner lumbar support changes position to allow for optimal lower back support. The Paradise model even has a height adjustable headrest to accommodate people of various sizes. A sleep mode can be engaged by simply pulling the headrest forward and laying the chair almost flat. The Ekornes Stressless line comes in sofas, love seats, and chairs and most sets are sold in a combination of high and low backs to fit the ideal needs of the consumer. Ekornes has been producing the line since 1972 with a very close attention to detail, and are always on the cutting edge of innovation. Find a dealer close to you and discover real comfort!

Ergonomics applies the principles of biology, psychology, anatomy and physiology to get rid of conditions from the work environment that may cause workers to experience discomfort, fatigue or poor health. Ergonomics helps reduce stress and eliminate many potential injuries and disorders associated with the overuse of muscles, bad postures and repeated tasks. The science of ergonomics seeks to adapt work and working conditions to suit the worker and has been able to take care of several work related health problems. And this is accomplished by designing tasks-workspaces, controls, displays, tools, lightning and equipment to fit a worker’s physical capabilities and limitations.

There are many health hazards with desk jobs:

* Repetitive strain injuries
* Cumulative trauma disorders
* Carpal tunnel syndrome
* Tendonitis
* Lower back pain and spinal cord problems
* Eye strain
* Deep vein thrombosis, blood clot formation in the leg due to long hours of inactivity
* Sedentary lifestyle doubles the risk of cardiovascular diseases and increases the risk of obesity, diabetes, osteoporosis, depression, anxiety….

If you are computer user, sit with your neck, thigh, elbows and legs at right angles with the legs resting firmly on the floor. Raise the height of your chair so that you do not have to bend down unnecessarily to reach your work. Do not allow feet dangling off the floor; it will give you leg pain. You need adequate space to accommodate a computer, accessories, telephone, files, papers etc on your work desk. See that you can reach out easily; you do not have to stretch out and strain your back. Utilize the workspace to suit your convenience. Ergonomics should be the way of life.

Change positions frequently to protect the joints and muscles of the body. Position your computer screen and keyboard at a proper distance to avoid joint pain in the fingers (carpal tunnel syndrome), shoulder pain and eyestrain. The type of flooring, position of lights and air conditioners with ozone generators are also integral parts of the ergonomic environment. Comfort at workplace not only keeps you well but also increases your productivity.

Here’s how to be at ease….

* Rearrange the work area to avoid excess bending, stooping and reaching.
* Adjust the location of work in such a way that your body can maintain an unstrained, comfortable position with your arms, forearms and shoulders relaxed.
* Change your body position periodically throughout the day.
* Use a footrest if your feet don’t reach the floor.
* Position your monitor in the center and your keyboard directly in front of you and at approximately elbow height. This should enable you to type with straight wrists.
* A filter for your screen may help limit reflections and glare.
* Try to blink often to keep your eyes from drying out.
* Avoid ear to shoulder neck positioning while on the phone.
* Take short breaks that involve active exercise (walking, stretching); they are often the most effective in relieving stress on the back, neck and shoulders.
* Pay attention to all aspects of your health such as diet and stress management.

It is true that if you are not comfortable at your work, probably it is your chair or desk to blame. Yet not all products are that are labeled ‘ergonomic’ may be actually good for you because there are no laws or governing bodies to brand a product ergonomic. Ergonomics in the workplace is a serious business and product claims and functions must be backed up by serious research and testing.

All you need to know to begin undoing what stress has been doing to you is how to systematically relax all the muscles in your body. Here is how you do it.

Find a quiet place where you will not be disturbed for about 15 minutes. Dim the lights. Locate a comfortable chair in which you can sit straight up with your feet on the floor. Sit comfortably in the chair. Pay close attention to how you feel as you begin. Notice any stiffness or tightness. Are there any aches or pains? Do you feel tense, frustrated, or keyed up? Pay attention to how you feel now because you are going to become more relaxed, and you need a point of comparison.

First, we will review what to do and then we will experience the relaxation exercise. The systematic muscle relaxation procedure goes as follows.
While sitting quietly and comfortably, slowly inhale and exhale and close your eyes as you do so.

Bend your right hand back at the wrist and briefly hold the tension. Now relax.

Now do the same thing with the left hand. Hold the tension and now relax.

This time tighten both hands into fists and hold the tension. Feel it spread up the arms towards the elbows. Now relax.

Now bend both arms at the elbows and raise your hands up towards your shoulders. Tighten up the muscles in the biceps. Hold it. Now relax.

These three exercises have used the major muscles in the arms and started them relaxing. If you don’t move them around, they will continue to relax becoming more and more relaxed, and you can forget about them

Next, turn your attention to your face. For your forehead raise your eyebrows up a far as you can and hold the tension. Now relax.

For your eyes, squeeze the eyelids tightly together. Hold the tension. Now relax.

For your jaw you just bite down and clamp your teeth together. Feel the tension along the jaw. Now relax. These three exercises have started the face relaxing.

For your neck just bend your head forward as if trying to touch your chin to your chest. Feel the tension along the back of the neck and now relax.

For your shoulders just raise them up as high as you can and notice the tension. Now let them drop all at once and relax.

For your chest you do two things at once. Take a deep breath and hold it while at the same time trying to touch your shoulder blades together by pulling your arms back. Hold it. Now relax.

For your stomach you just pull in as if trying to touch your backbone with stomach. Now relax.

For your back you arch out and away from the chair, and you can feel tension along the spine. Now relax.

With your feet flat on the floor, press down and feel the tension spread up the back of the legs. Now relax.

For the right thigh raise your leg up on front of you and feel the tension build. Now relax.

Now do the same thing with the left leg and relax.

Finally, for your feet bend your toes up as if pointing towards the ceiling and feel the tension around the feet and ankles. Once again, relax