As the silly season approaches, most of us will be getting in a car at some point to make the journey to visit our loved ones. As someone that doesn’t suffer with any particular back issues or other injuries, even for me getting out of the car after a long journey can have me feeling like someone considerably older than what I am!
I can’t stop the kids from driving you crazy, but I can help make your journey a little more comfortable! You certainly don’t want to get to your destination and not be able to enjoy the fun. Ergonomics is a word we often hear associated with office environments, chairs, desks and keyboards. But ergonomics is not just about work, it is concerned with fitting the task to the human, the environment and equipment, so can also be applied to driving too.
So with this in mind I have put together a few tips for you which I will post over the coming days. Give them a go!
Seating
Begin by pushing the seat all the way back, and if it is height adjustable put it to its lowest position.
Seat height: Position yourself in a way where you can comfortably see the road and all the instruments on your dashboard. Hips should be positioned in line with your knees. If your knees are sitting higher than your hips you are too low and you are placing unnecessary stress on your lower back. If you are still too low, you could add a low profile cushion.
Seat position: Bring the seat forward so you can comfortably reach and completely press down the accelerator, brake (and if applicable the clutch) without coming away from the seat back.
Back rest: Bring the back rest forward until you are reclined to 100-110 degree angle, this will help to reduce the stress on your lower back.
Head rest: Ensure the headrest, is positioned in the middle of your head.
Lumbar support: If your seat has adjustable lumbar support, adjust this so it provides support to the curve of your lower back. If you feel you need additional support, try a small pillow or rolled up towel and place this between the seat and your lower back. If you have a specialised lumbar support, don’t forget to use it!
Seat tilt: Ensure the seat is providing support to your entire thigh, and is not putting pressure on any particular area. Also, make sure there is a small gap (approximate width of two fingers) between the seat edge and the back of your knee.
Look out for tomorrow’s tip for staying comfortable behind the wheel. What are you doing to look after yourself today?