Does It Take Time to Adjust to a New Office Chair?
People often ask, ‘Does it take time to adjust to a new office chair?’ The answer is, ‘Yes, it takes time for the body’s muscles and joints to get used to a new office chair’. People usually get used to their chairs within two weeks or earlier depending on factors like how much you move around while sitting or what type of desk set up you have.
On a new office chair, once the body has adjusted, it should feel more relaxed and less tense. But there are a few things you can do to make the new chair more comfortable for you.
How to comfortably sit on an office chair?
You spend a lot of money on an office chair. You want it to be comfortable. Yet, new office chairs often feel uncomfortable. However, it is important to know that it takes a little bit of adjustment in your sitting posture and the mechanics of the chair to make it comfortable and cozy.
For your understanding, we have compiled a list of 5 tips you can use to make your office chair a lot more comfortable in a short period of time.
Moving the height of the seat
There are many adjustments that can be made in order to better suit your needs, such as moving the height of the seat or armrests up or down.
The chair’s height can be adjusted to make it more comfortable. You may also need a footstool if you are shorter than average or have trouble reaching the round.
Furthermore, adjusting the back of the chair can sometimes help alleviate some pressure points that result from sitting for an extended length of time in one position.
Rocking the chair
Moving the seat of your chair is a common way to get more comfortable while adjusting.
Rocking in order to find better comfort has been recommended by many experts who say rocking will allow your body’s muscles and joints to adjust more quickly while still providing support so that they can relax after getting used to the new office chair.
Using a stool for an extra support
You may also need a footstool if you are shorter than average or have trouble reaching the floor because some chairs don’t come with one.
A footrest of some kind is often recommended when adjusting to new chairs, as this can make it easier on your body. One way to find more comfort in the chair would be with a footstool that will raise you up enough so your feet are touching the ground.
Adjust the back of your chair
Adjusting the back of your chair really helps! One way to adjust the back of your chair is by loosening or tightening it.
The back can be adjusted in order to support more weight if you are heavier than average, and some people prefer a looser back in order to remove pressure from their neck as well.
More adjustments include changing the tilt of the chair’s seat so that you’re not having too much trouble getting up out of it. In absence of such adjustments, you might feel like all your blood has gone into your feet – which does happen for many people who sit for long periods during the day.
Sit on the edge of your seat
Sit on the edge of your seat as much as possible, and try to take pressure off those sensitive spots by rotating often. This will help you avoid developing back problems from sitting in an office chair for long periods of time.
Reasons why it could be taking you too long to get used to new office chairs
Generally, it should not take you more than a few days to get used to your new office chair. However, if it is taking you more than a couple of weeks then there must be something wrong with how you are approaching your new office chair.
Here is a list of 5 reasons why you are taking too long to get used to your new office chair.
Being Impatient
It simply needs the patience to get comfortable with your new chair. Some people have high expectations of the seat and they set up the desk before trying out different adjustments. Some people find their most ideal comfort point after six months.
The idea is to give some time, at least a week or so, to see how your new chair adjusts to your body posture.
The seat may be too hard
If you are feeling tired while sitting in your chair that’s maybe because the chair seat is too hard. If your chair seat is too hard, you can soften it by adding seat cushions.
Ideally, you would want to check the seat hardness at the time of purchasing the chair. As much as possible, try to purchase a chair that comes with a soft seat.
The back does not support your body
Make sure that the chair is at the right height and it does not tilt too much because this can put pressure on certain parts of your body, such as shoulders or knees.
You would also want to see if there are other adjustments you have been neglecting: armrests, for example, may need adjusting up or down in order to relieve pressure points from sitting at one position for an extended period of time.
The last adjustment would be to make sure that all screws holding the chair together are screwed tightly so they do not loosen over time with use. Even the most comfortable chairs can become painful if the screws holding the joints are loosened. So, make sure you keep an eye on them.
You are trying too hard
Trying too hard – either by constantly bouncing around like kids do at school desks, or gripping onto the arms of the chair tightly – can lead to muscle strain and joint issues. This is especially true if one’s body does not fully adjust within a couple of weeks as described earlier.
Not using a cushion for back support
If the chair does not have a good cushion, it might be too hard for you to comfortably sit in it.
Getting the right cushion can be a little difficult because it does depend on your height and weight. Many people recommend trying out different cushions in order to find one that you are comfortable with.
Final Thoughts
To sum up, getting used to a new office chair is a matter of choosing the right chair and making the right adjustments. When buying a new chair, make sure that the chair has good lumbar support, comes with armrests, has reclining options, and has a soft seat. If everything goes fine, it should not take you long before you start enjoying sitting on your new office chair. Happy sitting!
