By Austin Harichuran (Ergonomic Evaluator, Head of Digital and Marketing at Ergonomicsdirect)
This article is ideal if you’re interested in learning about the benefits of a footrest, or if you can relate/have experienced any of the following: (Swinging feet while sitting on a chair; back pain; poor posture; low productivity while working; fatigue; poor blood circulation; difficulties in concentration)
For a long time, ADHD has controlled my ability to focus and be present in the moment. Besides the mental impact it had on me, I’ve developed a few physical habits over the years which have been more challenging to get rid of.
Over the years, I’m happy to say that I’ve outgrown many of my mental challenges and I’m continuously aiming to improve myself whilst building new positive habits. From a young age, whenever I’d start to feel anxious or overwhelmed, my legs would start to shake rapidly and uncontrollably (imagine what campus life was like). Although emotions like anxiety aren’t exactly easy to outgrow, I’ve found a solution that helps control my anxiety and “happy feet” while I work.
Besides the major impact ergonomics has had on my ability to focus, to my surprise, I’ve found myself getting “attached” to some of my products – more specifically today, my ergonomic footrests.
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Here are the 3 benefits that I’ve found while using a footrest
Promotes dynamic movement for my happy feet
The “Tap-dance Foot Dance” (when my feet are on the ground), or “Swinging-Leg Shoo Dance” (when feet are hanging about) has been distracting over the last FOREVER. Knowing how disruptive it is and not being able to control it has been distracting and quite embarrassing at times.
The Ergo Dynamic Frame and Board Footrest has been my top pick whenever my feet are in the mood to go somewhere, and I’m not. The easy-glide movement somehow allows my feet to dance around as they please. This allows me to stay at my desk longer without feeling the need to get up and walk about too frequently
Improves blood circulation
With my feet being as busy as they are, I’ve found that my feet tend to automatically go under my body onto the base of my chair. With the back of my knees then squashed against the seat pan for long periods, it’s no surprise that it affected my circulation, which caused pins and needles, along with fatigue. With my feet on a footrest, I no longer want to fall over when I get up from my desk. Happy to say - Monday only happens once a week for me now.
Reduces back pain, when used with an ergonomic chair
Back to basics. Because of the position of my feet, I wasn’t sitting right back in my chair and therefore wasn’t utilising the backrest or lumbar support my chair offers. This resulted in back pain, fatigue, and poor seating posture over time. A footrest helped push me further back in my chair, enabling me to use the backrest optimally.
I’ve found that after two weeks of using the Ergo Height Adjustable Footrest, I’ve started to feel more comfortable, sitting right back in my chair for longer periods. The Ergo height adjustable footrest is dynamic and moves/tilts as you move your feet and legs, and it also has above-average height settings.
For many years, footrests have been advertised as solutions for “shorter individuals” who work behind a desk. Although a footrest does provide a solid or dynamic higher platform on which individuals can rest their feet, it can be equally beneficial to taller individuals who require dynamic movement or improved circulation while seated.
In summary, my advice would be:
Maximise your chair’s lumbar support and reduce back pain by investing in an ergonomic footrest.
To view Ergonomicsdirect’s range of ergonomic footrests, please click here.
If you are experiencing any pain or discomfort while you work, please contact us – our Ergonomicsdirect team will be happy to assist you in selecting your ideal ergonomic workspace solutions.
Contact number: 021 426 2378
Email: info@ergodirect.co.za
Wishing everyone a happy October 2021.
Kind regards
Austin (Ergonomic Evaluator, Head of Digital and Marketing at Ergonomicsdirect)
