On a typical day, I do spend a lot of time sitting in front of my computer and I am particular about the ergonomics in my workplace – it should be comfortable for my long working hours.

In all the office spaces I got furnished, I ensure the ergonomic aspects were given adequate attention to the extent possible – for example, I will instruct the interior designer to have the keyboard tray be at the same height from the ground to the armrest of the chair that’s going to be used, to ensure your elbow is resting firmly in the armrest and the wrist is placed (not hanging) in the keyboard tray, thereby reducing the pressure on your wrist which will protect you from developing the dreaded carpal tunnel syndrome; Similarly, the Display monitor should be placed at a proper height so that you don’t bend down or look up and strain your neck – If you can’t adjust the monitor height, there are small stands available in Amazon.

My workstation in 2007

My workstation in 2007

In my table, I use a dual-monitor setup for productivity, an external keyboard and a mouse connected to my laptop so that I don’t strain and cramp my arms using the laptop inbuilt keyboard and trackpad.

My workstation in 2016 – Dual Monitors

My workstation in 2016 – Dual Monitors

For almost 15 years I have been using an executive chair model (Contact HB) from Featherlite, India. When I bought it many years ago, it cost about ₹6000 or so and it has been comfortable, whenever I moved or got a new office space, my room will definitely have this chair.

My workstation in 2005 – Featherlite Contact HB Executive chair (Full Black)

My workstation in 2005 – Featherlite Contact HB Executive chair (Full Black)

I do keep telling myself to get up once every 30 minutes or an hour, but as you all know, we don’t do it always.

Last year, every time I sit for an hour or so at a stretch, I was finding my buttocks getting numb and a burning sensation in the anus – before it turns into Haemorrhoids (piles) I wanted to take care of myself. My family doctor gave a suggestion that I try placing a thick cotton towel on the chair bottom. When that didn’t help much, he asked I go for a chair that has a seating area that allows ventilation, something like a wire mesh.

Looking for a model that’s comfortable, has a neck rest, good armrest, and, has a mesh bottom I found a few online and one at Featherlite store in Haddows Road, Chennai, but it was costing above INR 50,000 (USD 720).

Mesh chair from Featherlite

Mesh chair from Featherlite

Though I don’t like to be stingy when it comes to ergonomics, Featherlite chair was beyond my range – if I am going to spend that kind of money, I will very well go for the world-famous Herman Miller Mirra 2 chair which costs about INR 85000 (USD 1120) online.

Herman Miller Mirra 2 chair, that I can only dream about!

Herman Miller Mirra 2 chair, that I can only dream about!

That’s when I came across a store (Pan India Enterprise) in Kutchery Road, Chennai, the owner was helpful and showed me a model from a catalogue. It was not from a recognizable brand but was exactly what I wanted and was costing only ₹11,520 (USD 165) inclusive of 28% GST. I ordered one and got it delivered in a few days. The model I got was a Chinese import, made by a company there called Sihoo.

The perfect chair for me

The perfect chair for me

The Mesh bottom allows ventilation for sensitive areas

The Mesh bottom allows ventilation for sensitive areas

Sitting on the chair for the last 10 months, it has turned out to be comfortable, the numbness and burning sensations on my bottoms are not there.  The backrest is fixed, you can’t push back, but that’s fine with me.

Happy sitting!

BTW, irrespective of the chair you sit, a physiotherapist recommended to me, to use a small pillow (like the one in the below picture) or a rolled bath towel and place it near the tail bone area for firm support for the lower back – the idea is not to leave a gap between your back (you determine the actual location you need this) and the chair.

A small pillow for a firm lower back support

A small pillow for a firm lower back support

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