How ergonomic office chairs can improve study habits
The years of studying, between secondary school and university, is a demanding but important time in a person's life. With the majority of students experiencing stress during this period (over 84 per cent of university students experience stress and almost 90 per cent experience anxiety, according to a study published in PubMed Central), it's paramount that parents, educators, and guardians take any measures possible to support the student⁽¹⁾.
One critical way to do this is to create an optimal study environment. An ergonomic set-up significantly benefits students as it creates a space that contributes to less fatigue and improved productivity. One key factor of an ergonomic study space is an ergonomic office chair, such as the Ergohuman, Enjoy, or Mirus Elite.
The importance of ergonomic office chairs for students
Research by Dr Nse A. Odunaiya, a physiotherapist at the College of Medicine in Nigeria, found that ergonomically unsuitable furniture in schools and universities is one of the leading causes of posture issues in adulthood⁽²⁾.
Unsupportive furniture can also quickly lead to fatigue and a lack of focus in classes. Typically, parents don't have an influence on which furniture their children's institution purchases for the students. However, they can control which furniture the child uses at home for studying.
Ergonomic chairs, including the Ergohuman range, can be adjusted to mould to the human body. They provide comfort and support to the user while encouraging correct posture, reducing strain, and enhancing productivity.
The chair should be highly adjustable, feature proper lumbar support, support the spine's natural curves, be made of durable and breathable materials, and have a swivel base, adjustable armrests, and a tilt mechanism.
The combination of these features – all of which are found on Ergohuman chairs – contributes to a reduction in musculoskeletal issues and improves productivity, which is essential for students who spend long hours studying.
Research published in 'Technology Enabled Ergonomic Design' found that college students who spent more than 24 hours per week engaging in online lessons or learning had the highest amount of body pain⁽³⁾. This pain was generally experienced in the neck, shoulder, arms, buttocks, thighs, and legs. With many students attending online classes or studying with a laptop on their laps – an extremely non-ergonomic set-up – this is not surprising.
Enter Ergohuman chairs: ergonomic mesh office chairs designed to support comfort and healthy seating.
Benefits of Ergohuman chairs for students
Ergonomic office chairs support proper posture and spinal alignment. Healthy posture has a direct impact on good cognitive function and awareness. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience found that people are more successful in undertaking problem-solving tasks, such as resolving anagrams and detecting auditory stimuli, when they are practising an upright rather than supine posture⁽⁴⁾.
Let's explore the benefits Ergohuman desk chairs offer and how they directly impact students’ study habits.
> Better posture
Ergohuman chairs support proper spinal alignment, reducing the development of back pain and discomfort. This allows students to focus better and study for longer periods of time without physical distractions.
An upright posture has a beneficial effect on cognitive performance, which is why we recommend ergonomic office chairs rather than studying from a bed or couch.
> Enhanced concentration and focus
It is not easy to stay focused as a student. However, with increased comfort and reduced physical strain, students can concentrate better on their studies. Proper lumbar support and adjustable features – including backrest height, 5D armrests, and free-float recline mode – help prevent discomfort that can lead to decreased focus and productivity.
> Increased comfort and reduced fatigue
The adjustable features of Ergohuman chairs, such as seat height, seat depth, and backrest tilt, allow students to customise their seating position. This adaptability minimises fatigue and discomfort, enabling students to maintain their energy levels during extended study sessions.
> Prevention of musculoskeletal issues
Prolonged sitting in non-ergonomic chairs can lead to musculoskeletal problems, including neck, shoulder, and back pain. Ergonomic chairs are designed to prevent these issues by promoting natural body alignment and reducing pressure points.
> Boosted productivity
By offering comfortable and supportive seating, Ergohuman chairs can help students maintain engagement and productivity. Enhanced physical well-being and focus directly contribute to improved academic performance and more effective study habits.
Choosing ergonomic chairs for students
It's critical that students have safe and comfortable environments for studying. When it comes to choosing a chair, an ergonomic office chair is the best choice you can make for the young ones in your care.
Features to consider when buying a chair include adjustable features – including backrest height, seat height, seat depth, armrests, and recline angle – durable and breathable materials, and quality materials, ensuring the chair lasts them throughout their studies.
All Ergohuman office and mesh gaming chairs feature the elements listed above. When your Ergohuman office chair is delivered, it's important to read the user guide and set it up properly to achieve maximum comfort and all the ergonomic benefits.
Ergohuman advice: Beyond your ergonomic chair, there are other ergonomic details that you can incorporate into your student's study space. A stand-sit desk is excellent for encouraging movement during long study sessions. The monitor should be positioned at eye level, about an arm's length away, to prevent neck strain. The study space should have adequate lighting to reduce eye strain. Natural lighting is best, followed by a combination of ambient and task lighting.
Encouraging healthy study habits
As the moment approaches for students to head back to school, college, or university, now is the time to start setting up an ergonomic study space. It's crucial for students to have somewhere to study that ensures comfort, support, and productivity. Ergonomic office chairs encourage healthy posture, minimise fatigue, and foster a safe place for long study sessions.
Ergohuman office chairs are available in 12 colourways across three timeless models. All feature adjustable lumbar support, 5D adjustable armrests, and ergonomic features for sustained comfort while studying. Ergonomic seating is a valuable tool for academic success, so what are you waiting for?
Ergohuman chairs come with free delivery across the UK and mainland EU countries (plus Switzerland), are backed by a 10-year warranty, and have 30-day no-hassle returns.