Looking for a great Christmas gift for that hard to shop for someone in your life?

3 bundled gifts for under the tree

What do you want for Christmas?

We spend a lot of time shopping for other people at Christmas and trying to think of the perfect gift.  In fact, last time we talked about some great ergonomic gifts for those special people in our lives.  Interestingly, they spend just as much time stressing over what to get you!!  Since they're probably not going to buy you diamonds or season tickets, why not ask for something practical that will make going back to work easier, more comfortable, and less straining on your body?  

Knowing what you want for Christmas can be hard, so I'm going to help you.  There's not much better than feeling good after a day of work.  Work-related stress and strain are way too frequently occurring for comfort (pun intended).  Much of that stress and strain could be relieved with the right ergonomic tools that will help you achieve and maintain good posture and habits.  Since wrist/hand pain and back pain are frequently cited sources of angst at work, here are some great, affordable ideas for Christmas.

• An ergonomic keyboard.  Most hand and wrist injuries are a result of cocking wrists and other awkward typing positions.  An ergonomic keyboard is designed to keep your hands and wrists in proper placement comfortably and efficiently.
• Add an ergonomic mouse.  Similarly, your wrist twists awkwardly to use a standard mouse and your hand can also cramp from an ill-fitting one.  An ergonomic mouse, on the other hand, keeps everything in place and also for your hand much more comfortably.
• A wrist rest.  Wrist rests are ideal for resting the palms of your hand between periods of typing, and as an added bonus, are very affordable gifts.
• An ergonomic chair.  While a bit of an investment, being able to customize a chair to fit you exactly is fairly priceless, especially when you factor in all the back, shoulder, and neck aches and pains you can avoid.
• Portable lumbar support.  An ergo chair can be a bit spendy; thus, a less expensive option that still supports your back is portable back support.  That way you can have the support you need wherever you are!

Just by trying a few of the right tools, you can treat yourself to more comfort and less pain!  Happy holidays and happy typing!

Christmas Gift-Giving without Feeling Stressed

Not too long ago, we posted some tips for avoiding holiday stress, such as making lists and shopping online.In fact, just to remind you without even leaving this page, here they are:

4 Tips for Avoiding Holiday Stress

1. Make lists and prioritize daily.  Make a to-do list of activities you must compete for the holidays.  This list should be specific and date oriented. For example, instead of listing “get for the Christmas party at my house”, break down each aspect of your party with a target date for completion.  The more specific your tasks, the better. Making a general list sets you up to leave something out. Always set the dates early so you’re not in a frenzy to get the task complete.  Review and update your list on a daily basis.
2. *Shop online.  A lot of time is spent driving all over town as you shop.  Make your shopping list early.  Almost anything on your list can be found online. Sit down one evening, take your list, get focused only on shopping, and begin. You’ll be amazed just how much shopping you can get done in only one evening.
3. Make time for yourself. Even if it is only one or two hours per week, take time for yourself.  Make a list of things you’d like to do that relax and refresh you. Read a book.  Get a massage. Watch a movie.  Whatever it takes to clear your mind and refresh you… do it!  You’ll be rewarded with more energy and a peaceful attitude.
4. Don’t over-commit.  During the holiday season there are lots of things to do and many organizations and groups clamoring for your time. Choose your activities wisely and commit only to the ones you consider most important. Otherwise you’ll be anxious for the holidays to be over so you can get some rest.

Top 5 Ergo Gifts

• Ergonomic Keyboards: Give the gift of ergonomic comfort where they need it the most!  From small or large hands to lefties, ergonomic keyboards offer simply better lay-outs and fit for any hands.
• Ergonomic Mice: Another must-have for fit and ease of mousing with fewer cramps and strains.  The right fit will keep a hand from feeling tight, stiff, or crampy after periods of use.  Usually, a handshake grip or contoured fit will feel most natural and keep the forearm form twisiting to grip the mouse.
• Portable lumbar support:  Instead of an expensive ergo chair, why not give the gift of back support?  That way whoever receives it can have the support they need wherever they are!
• Mouse/Hand Warmer Pouch: Offices can be cold- this is a comfortable, affordable, practical gift for that can't stay warm friend who wears 2 sweaters to work.
• Energy-Saver Power Strip:  Have a green family member or friend who loves the environment as much as he loves saving money?  This super-practical gift will keep on giving as it saves energy and money.

Ergonomic gifts are truly the best for the hard to shop for or the practical individual...but truly, anyone can enjoy and appreciate a comfortable gift.

What are you thankful for today?

Not only is EME a great company full of productivity-boosting, injury-reducing products, they're also honest and integrity-driven.  Those are words that get thrown around a lot, but since I actually know the people who send me my check, I can truly speak to their commitment to what is right.  They are dedicated to customer satisfaction and to doing right by people.  That's pretty rare these days.  I guess it's why they hired me: a stay-at-home mom.  They offered me the chance to supplement my husband's income while enabling me the opportunity of a life time to stay home with my kids.

So, thank you to Ergonomics Made Easy- your products, your customer service, and your integrity deserve a special shout-out this Thanksgiving week.

How comfortable are you at your workstation? Is it easy to spend eight hours at your desk, or do you ache at the end of the day? Ergonomics is about making your office more comfortable and productive. Here are some tips and tools that can improve your comfort and increase your productivity:

Adjust your chair. Ergonomic typing posture is focused on minimizing the movement and work required on your muscles. Good posture prevents strained muscles and a sore back. And a good ergonomic chair is the best foundation for maintaining good posture for long periods of time. Make your feet rest firmly on the ground, and ensure that your lower back has sufficient support. If needed, you can add portable lumbar support. Finally, make sure your arm rests out of the way to allow free arm movement while you type.

Upgrade to an ergonomic keyboard. Ergonomic keyboards are specifically designed to support good hand position, making your typing more comfortable and efficient. When looking at a new keyboard, try several different designs to fine one that fits, and give yourself a few weeks to determine if it is really the best keyboard for you.

Move your keyboard. Add an adjustable keyboard tray to your desk to provide fast, easy adjustment of your keyboard. While typing, your keyboard should be only an inch or two above your lap, just below the height of your elbows. When adjusted correctly, your shoulders, arms and hands should feel relaxed and you should be able to easily reach the top keys without stretching or reaching. 

Try a document holder. Looking back and forth between your screen and a document creates pain in your neck and shoulders. It also can strain your eyes to continually refocus, resulting in headaches. A document holder can help relieve all this pain and can actually increase your productivity. Place the document holder immediately next to your monitor and at approximately the same distance from your eyes.

Try these tips to improve your work space ergonomics. Adjusting your ergonomic chair and adding ergonomic tools, such as a keyboard tray, can help improve your comfort and increase you productivity.