Ergonomic Holiday Tips – A Rare Guest Post
I rarely allow guest posts on this website. Ergonomic Holiday tips sounded like a good subject this time of year.
Mindy, the owner of ErgoSmith Consulting graciously wrote a pandemic home ergonomic bargains to use while we were all stuck at home. The article went viral at least for a worker’s comp website. I followed up with an interview in 2023. Enough of my bloviating, let us see what the ergonomist recommends.
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This is the season to consider ergonomics! I hope these ergonomic holiday tips and gift ideas will put you in a festive spirit while reducing discomfort.
Ergonomics is usually concerned with adapting the workplace to fit the worker, but repetitive motion injuries can happen to anyone anywhere. The same principles that apply to the workplace can be used at home.
When decorating your home (inside and out), keep in mind safe lifting practices. Lift with your legs, keep your back straight, and bring the load close to your body. Get help with heavy items and break long jobs into shorter tasks with breaks in between. Don’t forget to warm up before you get started and take stretch breaks.
When standing in one place, such as in the kitchen, wear supportive shoes or slippers or use an anti-fatigue mat.
Personally, I love the arch support in my Vionic slippers. If you have a cabinet under the counter you’re standing at, open the door and prop up a foot to give your back a little relief.
While wrapping gifts, or making crafts, start with a good workstation. Avoid sitting on the floor without back support. Sit at a table or even alternate sitting and standing if you can.
If you are traveling this year by plane or car, bring a lumbar cushion to support your back. If you’re flying, bring a small carry-on that fits under the seat in front of you to prop your feet on. Take the time for stretch breaks while flying or driving. This should help improve blood circulation and reduce fatigue.
I may not be Oprah, but I wanted to share a few of my favorite things. I hope you find a little inspiration for the person who has everything with these practical gifts.
Slice is an innovative company that makes cutting tools with ceramic blades, which are safer to touch and handle than traditional blades. Slice makes a variety of tools (https://www.sliceproducts.com/collections/all-products), but my favorite is the box cutter with an ergonomic curved handle. A perfect gift for tackling all those packages arriving this time of year. You can find a better price on Amazon or at Joann.
A cushioned mat is a good solution for the kitchen, workshop, or anywhere you tend to stand for long periods. They come in a variety of sizes, and you can buy them online or at any big box store. Thicker kneeling pads are a perfect gift for gardeners. I bring a small mat every time I give a presentation or teach a class. A beveled edge can help reduce trip hazards.
There’s almost as many different opinions about what makes a good pen as there are pens. Many of us can agree that the ones you love the most, are the ones we frequently misplace. A thicker pen body requires less grip force and can be beneficial for people with arthritis or reduced grip strength. Gel ink flows smoothly to reduce gripping which can lead to hand cramps, but it can be a messy issue for lefties. Dr grip, G2, and Tul are my favorite pen brands. A pack of “good pens” is a welcome gift that is easy to use and share. Tul sells collections of bright and metallic pens that are bound to bring joy to any creative person on your gift list. Select a finer tip pen for the most meticulous of folks.
Did any of these gift ideas make your nice list or do you have any ergonomic gifts to recommend? Please leave a comment.
Wishing you a very happy and safe holiday and an ergonomic new year from Mindy Smith with ErgoSmith Consulting, LLC.
For more information about ergonomics assistance, please contact Mindy Smith at [email protected]
