Say Goodbye to Unpleasant Aches With These Ergonomic Upgrades

Lower back pain can possibly be alleviated by ensuring that you have a safe setup (as long as there’s nothing more serious going on with your spine). Rather than placing a pillow or rolled-up towel against your back, opt for a permanent fix with a support pillow that won’t move around in your seat. This one has straps that wrap around whatever you’re sitting on, be it a car seat, airplane seat, desk chair, or dining chair, that will keep it in place. With more than 25,000 five-star reviews, it’s evident that it helps.

For an on-the-go solution, something like this portable seat cushion could be your best bet. This one works by helping to relax your hip muscles, allowing you to sit up straight more easily, easing lower back pain. Plus, it gives you some squish on hard, uncomfortable chairs. It’s a Wake-Up Call reader favorite for a reason — and it’s time you get in on the action. 

Lumbar support comes in all shapes and sizes, but if you need something that covers a larger area, this is the perfect cushion. It naturally contours to the curves of your back, helping improve posture, and thus relieving back pain. You can strap it to the back of your chair to keep it in place, but it’s also great to place behind your back on soft seats you might sink into, like couches or armchairs. 

If you’re suffering from the dreaded “tech neck” and your WFH laptop setup is less than ideal, it may be time to raise your standards. Literally. The height of a laptop sitting on a table can cause your head to look downward, straining your neck muscles. Resolve the problem and invest in a laptop riser like this one from POUT, which has all the features you need to improve your posture. It’s lightweight yet sturdy, securely holds your laptop in place in a comfortable position, and can adjust up to 20 inches high, so you can even convert your dining table into a standing desk.

You know the comfort you get from resting your feet on a railing or bar when you’re sitting in a higher chair or stool? Turns out that’s because it helps align your hips and knees, which is the optimal position to be in while sitting. If your feet don’t touch the floor while you’re sitting, adding a footrest could help keep your joints at right angles, where they’re supposed to be. This footrest has a removable base so you can adjust the height, a non-slip bottom to keep it in place, and the cover is removable for washing.

Find yourself switching between needing hip and back support? This cushion can actually be flipped to accommodate the type of support you need. Place it flat on your seat and it will cradle your hips, or lean it against a backrest for lower back support. It’s two cushions in one! 

Instead of having a closed loop for a handle, this mug has an open one, so people with hand pain or limited hand mobility don’t have thread their hand or fingers through the loop to pick it up. Not only is it easier to hold, but the open handle also serves as an extra contact point on a flat surface, so it’s harder to knock over if you’re on the clumsy side. 

We’re all familiar with the fact that working on a laptop while sitting on a bed or couch is not ideal for our bodies. But in the moment, it feels so good. What if we told you that you could stay in that spot without doing damage to your joints? This adjustable tray sits on your lap to elevate your laptop, tablet, or book to an angle that lessens strain on your neck. It also alleviates any weird wrist movements you have to make to hold your electronics at a proper angle while you’re cozied up. Reviewers say it can hold heavy books and computers with ease, and it reduces neck craning. 

Washing dishes just got less painful. This cushioned mat looks like a stylish vintage rug, but it’s actually made from cushy vinyl. It’s easy to clean (just use a damp rag and gentle cleaner to wipe up spills), and the soft surface cushions you from standing on a hard, flat floor. You can get it in both runner and accent rug sizes, too, so it’s great in front of bathroom counters or in the kitchen if you cook often.

It’s no secret that sitting all day does a number on your joints, but not all of us have a high enough surface to work from. Instead of adding a bulky computer stand to your regular desk, consider swapping your setup for an adjustable desk that you can raise to standing height. This one moves with the touch of a button, and there’s even built-in cord management to keep everything looking organized.

You’ve probably never considered the damage your morning routine could do. That cup of caffeine is something you see as a savior, not a danger (unless it’s skipped — then it’s a real danger). But the way you hold that coveted cup of coffee could lead to wrist or hand pain. The design of this mug makes lifting and holding it easier for everyone, as the way it’s constructed actually transfers the weight of the cup and your drink to your muscles, rather than straining your joints. The wide handle also allows those with differing abilities to hold the cup in a variety of different ways, making it more accessible for anyone who has difficulty holding a smaller cup.