Office chairs and other gadgets for people with ADHD
Having a stationary desk job as a person with ADHD, whether you’re at home or in the office, can be difficult, especially when it comes to setting up your space in a way that works for you. The purpose of ergonomics is to set up your space so that it suits you as an individual. Take into consideration your height, weight, and preferences, but don't neglect factors such as your personality, behaviours, health conditions, and neurodivergence.
Your ADHD may change the way you work and operate in your desk-based job. If you're looking for an ADHD office chair, some tips for setting up your space, or some advice for concentrating at work, the team at Ergohuman is here to help.
What is ADHD and what are the symptoms?
According to ADHD UK, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is a condition that affects behaviour, such as attention span, hyperactivity, impulsivity, development, concentration, and sitting still. People with ADHD might have predominantly inattentive presentation, predominantly hyperactive-impulsive presentation, or a combination of both.
Symptoms and behaviours include (in children and adults):
- Being easily distracted
- Finding it difficult to organise time
- Difficulty finishing tasks
- Losing things often
- Having excess energy
- Interrupting conversations
- Impulsive decisions
- Difficulty giving full attention to tasks
- Struggles to pay attention when spoken to
- Avoids things that may take a long time or require mental effort
- Very fidgety
- Active when it's not appropriate, or restless
- On the go all the time
These symptoms and behaviours often appear in childhood, but those with ADHD may display the signs into adulthood. When it comes to the workplace, it can be very challenging, especially if the job involves sitting at a desk for many hours, tasks that take a long time, and requires being very organised. However, everyone with ADHD experiences their symptoms differently, and what may be difficult for one person is not a challenge for another.
It's also important to remember that people with ADHD have the same diverse skills, interests, and levels of intelligence as those without ADHD.
What are ADHD chairs?
'ADHD chairs' is a buzzword at the moment. It refers to chairs that can help people who have ADHD by encouraging dynamic sitting positions. They allow slight movement while one is seated to minimise discomfort, reduce fatigue, and enhance the user's focus levels.
Everyone with ADHD is different, so there is no one chair that fits all. Some people might prefer a meditation chair, a kneeling chair, an exercise ball, a wobble stool, or an ergonomic office chair that allows for dynamic movement, such as the Ergohuman Elite.
Those with ADHD working from home or spending time in an office should prioritise both comfort and support when choosing a desk chair. However, they should also consider what chair is ADHD-friendly and will help them stay focused in the long term.
Many people with ADHD will look for a chair that allows them to swivel, rock, or rotate, provides a full range of motion, has adjustable seat height and depth, high-quality casters for smooth movement, and legrests. Our office and gaming chairs tick all these boxes.
Ergohuman office chairs for people with ADHD
For those who care about their posture, breathability, and back support, but still seek a chair that allows for dynamic movement, the Ergohuman office chairs are an excellent choice. Depending on your style and budget, you may also prefer the Enjoy Elite, Mirus Elite, or any of our gaming chairs, which also include ergonomic features.
Several design elements can be beneficial to individuals with ADHD, helping to reduce fidgeting, discomfort, and encourage movement, even while seated.
Free-float backrest
Lumbar support system
It's easy to become fidgety and distracted if you're uncomfortable. Our ergonomic office chairs feature an advanced lumbar support system that provides full lower back support with built-in flexibility to adjust to your movements, eliminating discomfort – and therefore, distraction – while you sit. When setting up your work environment, be sure to choose a chair that provides both extreme comfort and support. This instantly minimises distractions.
5D adjustable armrests
Our ergonomic chairs all feature 5D adjustable armrests, perfect for long periods of sitting. When at your desk, it's likely you'll do a variety of tasks that require different levels of arm, wrist and shoulder support.
With the Ergohuman office chair, you can adjust the armrest width, height, depth, angle, and tilt to suit various tasks or even the small breaks you need to take throughout the day. The angle and tilt are particularly helpful when you need to recline and hold a mobile device or a book.
When the armrests are set up correctly, they will provide incredible comfort to your arms, wrists, and shoulders. This will alleviate muscle tension that happens when arms and hands aren't aligned well.
Swivel base
When it comes to needing to fidget or move about, the Ergohuman office chairs have you covered. The swivel 5-star base makes it easy to move around in your chair and navigate your office space. You can effortlessly push away from your desk, turn around to reach an item, reposition yourself to speak with a colleague, or simply turn away from your screen to rest your eyes for a few minutes.
Elastomeric mesh upholstery
All of our office chairs are upholstered in a unique, eco-friendly elastomeric mesh with ten autoflex zones, ensuring perfect weight distribution and back support. The big advantage to this is that the chairs allow flexibility, conforming to the user's body shape and the small movements they make. So, whether you're fidgeting, leaning to reach something, or reclining in your seat, the mesh will move with you, keeping you comfortable as you adjust in your chair.
Creating the ideal ADHD home office
Besides an ergonomic office chair that supports dynamic movement, what else can individuals with ADHD include in their space to help with their behaviours?
First and foremost, it can be helpful to inform your employer so they can support you. ADHD can be seen as a disability. Therefore, it's an employer's responsibility to protect you from discrimination and harassment, and to ensure necessary adjustments so that you can do your job properly. This might include flexibility on start and finish times, extra support with paperwork, or even an understanding of your movements throughout your workspace.
Other modifications to the workplace that can be helpful include physical reminders, larger screens so everything is visible, and headphones to cancel out distracting noises.
It can also be helpful to break down tasks into bite-sized steps, have an accountability partner for longer tasks, take regular stretching or movement breaks, implement the Pomodoro method, and schedule breaks during longer meetings or tasks. If possible, leave your workspace at lunchtime and do something that recharges you.
You may also like the idea of showing up to work a little bit early to socialise and get to know people. It can help to have colleagues who understand you on the days when you need extra support.
Sit-stand desks are also a great addition to your office space. If you benefit from extra movement, switching to a standing position each hour can help release some energy and give your feet a chance to move. Plus, it's very beneficial for your back, heart, and digestion.
Working from the office with ADHD
Working a corporate job or one that requires long hours of sitting when you have ADHD can be challenging, but it's not impossible. With the proper support, gadgets, ergonomic chairs, and desk set-up, you can have a productive and enjoyable career. Make sure to take frequent breaks every 30 minutes or so to get up, move around, fill your water bottle, stretch, or use the bathroom – even if it's only for a couple of minutes.
With a chair like Ergohuman, flexibility, comfort, and support will help to minimise distractions, improve your posture, and benefit your health while you're at work. Don't forget – they come in 12 colourways so you can choose one that works well with your office.