While all working professionals should pay attention to the ergonomics of their working space, one particular group that needs to pay more attention than others is programmers or developers. Programmers spend hours sitting in front of their computers, hunched over codes, and go on with their work for even up to 10 hours at a time without catching a break. Multiple surveys of IT professionals have revealed how they suffer from back, neck, and wrist pain owing to the hours they spend on their computer screens. While extensive work as a programmer cannot be avoided owing to the nature of the job, some things can be done to lessen your work’s negative impact on your health, and that is where ergonomics comes in.
What is Ergonomics?
Ergonomics is essentially defined as the applied science of designing items and spaces that individuals use so that the interaction between humans and other elements of a system is safe and efficient. This science uses theory, principles, and actual data to create systems that optimize performance and take into account human well-being in work environments. The term ergonomics is derived from the Greek words “ergon” and “nomos” where the former means work and the latter refers to laws. Hence, in literal terms, Ergonomics is defined as the science or laws of work.
Good and functioning ergonomic designs help create an optimal work environment and include multiple factors some of which include ensuring that your computer or laptop screen is at eye level, your work table has a standard desk height, you maintain a good posture and refrain from hunching, and that you take a break after every few hours, amongst others.
What are the benefits of Ergonomic Workstations?
In addition to making you more productive and your best self at work, ergonomic workstations have several other long term benefits which include:
Ergonomic workstations help you code better
When you feel comfortable in your workspace, and don’t essentially have a pain or ache stemming from any part of your body, you are bound to be your best self at work. Ergonomic workstations help you focus better on your work, have an improved mood, and subsequently be more productive due to their being an absence of stress, pain, or anxiety. By designing workspaces that enable good posture, less exertion, and fewer adjustments for height, you can increase your productivity by 25%. When programmers can concentrate on their work rather than focusing on their pain, they are likely to have higher efficiency and productivity.
Ergonomic workstations reduce the risk of injury
While traditional office equipment can cause you to have back pain and musculoskeletal disorders in the long run, ergonomic workstations, and office equipment adjust to fit the body of the individual occupying the desk to reduce the risk of related injuries.

Programmers that hunch over their desks, contort their hands to use the mouse or keyboard, and view their screen from uncomfortable angles tend to strain their muscles, tendons, and tissue These small injuries can lead to bigger problems such as inflammation and chronic back pain and not only is this unsafe but also impact the quality of your work.
Ergonomic workstations help improve engagement
Whether you are working for a company, running your firm, or working as a freelance programmer, you are likely to notice an increase in your engagement levels upon beginning the use of ergonomic workstations. As a freelancer or entrepreneur or employee, you need to engage with clients or colleagues respectively to incorporate their opinion, make them feel involved, and retain them. However, all of this wouldn’t be possible if you are struggling with your health due to poor furniture choices. Hence, ergonomic workstations also help with improved engagement.
Ergonomic workstations help you grow professionally
To grow professionally, programmers need to have all their bases covered. Any professional needs to have a well-functioning personal life to advance professionally, and programming is no different. This particular field has multiple new launches and techniques that programmers need to keep up with to stay relevant in their profession, and the drive to keep up with new advances can only present itself if programmers have nothing else bothering them. Similar to how you need to update the applications you use, programmers need to update their skills which can only be done if they are stress-free, in good health, and are working comfortably.
Conclusion
Programming is an extremely competitive field and professionals in this field need to always be on the top of their game and constantly learn new things to stay relevant and in demand. The extensive nature of this job calls for professionals to take care of their health and well-being in all possible ways, and this starts from their workstations. Ergonomic workstations are easy to put together and have long-running benefits that programmers simply shouldn’t miss out on.
Thomas Hyde
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