Make Your Workstation Work for You: Ergonomics as a Path to Wellbeing
Ergonomics That Work
How small adjustments at your workstation can reduce fatigue, prevent injury, and boost organizational ROI.
At Wellbeing Think Tank’s August Be Well session, we welcomed Lindsay McGraw, a physical therapist, ergonomist, yoga teacher, and wellness advocate, to lead a practical, interactive session titled “Make Your Workstation Work for You: Wherever You Work.”
Drawing on over 15 years of experience in ergonomics and workplace health, Lindsay provided simple, evidence-based strategies to reduce fatigue, prevent injury, and enhance wellbeing - whether at a desk, in a manufacturing floor, or working remotely.
Why Ergonomics Matters
Musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions continue to be a top contributor to U.S. healthcare spending and workplace disability. According to the Burden of Musculoskeletal Diseases in the U.S. (BMUS) report, MSK disorders account for hundreds of billions in direct and indirect costs yearly, including lost wages and reduced productivity.
Ergonomics isn’t just about posture, it’s about economics, too. Government-backed resources like the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommend measuring workplace intervention effectiveness using tools like cost-benefit analysis and ROI methods designed to communicate value within an organization.
Three Core Principles
Lindsay guided attendees through three core ergonomics principles:
Neutral Alignment: Maintain an open-packed position to minimize joint strain and support relaxed muscles.
Workstation Adapts to You: Arrange your environment to fit your body, not the other way around.
Your Best Posture is Your Next Posture: Avoid static positioning, frequent movement is key to wellbeing.
These principles apply across diverse work settings, including offices, remote setups, and hybrid environments.
Building Better Habits
To turn knowledge into action, Lindsay emphasized building habits that are realistic and repeatable:
Shift positions every hour, even alternating between sitting and standing supports movement.
Take brief “movement snacks,” 30–90 seconds to reset your posture or muscles.
Use tools like Pomodoro timers or wearables to prompt regular posture shifts.
Follow the 20‑20‑20 rule for screen time. every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
Stay hydrated; even mild dehydration can reduce circulation and increase muscular discomfort.
Step outside for fresh air and natural light as a mid-day reset.
Small, sustainable habits like these accumulate real ergonomic benefits over time.
Ergonomics at the Organizational Level
Ergonomics sharpens both health and business outcomes.
The CDC recommends that employers evaluate ROI from ergonomic programs by comparing metrics like absenteeism, workers’ compensation, and productivity before and after implementation.
The U.S. Department of Defense reported that ergonomics-focused injury prevention helped contain MSK-related costs, such as in the Navy, where costs grew only modestly despite high injury risk.
Benchmarking tools like Cornell University’s ROI Estimator can help organizations estimate 1- and 3-year ROI and payback periods for ergonomic changes.
By blending education, simple equipment upgrades (like footrests, monitor stands, or stipends), and culture-building tactics (like stretch breaks or ergonomics champions), organizations can embed ergonomics into everyday routines.
Lindsay reminded us that our bodies are adaptive by nature, but they benefit when we intentionally support them. Ergonomics should be seen not as an optional luxury, but as a strategic investment with visible returns, for individual wellbeing and organizational health.
What’s Next
This session is part of our quarterly focus on Workplace Health & Safety. Next month, join us for WTT Connected, a community-of-practice session where members share real-world implementations, challenges, and successes.
Stay informed, subscribe to our newsletter for actionable resources on workplace wellbeing. If you value our insights, please consider donating to support our evidence-based programs and inclusive community. Every contribution counts!
