Computer and Web Articles

I recently had an ergonomics expert visit my office and adjust my workstation.

She adjusted my chair, moved my monitors, mouse, and keyboard, and gave me suggestions on types of furniture and equipment I could purchase in the future to help me feel even more comfortable as I work.

Here are four tips (of many) that she shared with me; you can make each change on your own at your desk or workstation:

1. While you’re working on your computer, lift up one arm and reach it straight forward.Do your fingers touch your monitor without you leaning forward in your chair? If so, that’s great. If not, you need to move your monitors closer.
2. When you’re sitting in your chair, your keyboard surface should be at elbow height — your forearms shouldn’t be angled upward or downward from your elbows when you’re typing — think 90 degree angle here. If your keyboard isn’t at elbow height, try adjusting the height of your chair.
3. Your feet shouldn’t dangle! Make sure your feet are either flat on the floor or that you use a footrest.
4. Many people set up their monitors so that the screens are too high.The top area of your monitor screen should actually be around eye level to reduce neck strain caused by tilting your neck back.

I hope these tips help you feel more comfortable when you work at your computer.

If you need additional assistance, drop me an e-mail and I’d be happy to share the contact info of the ergonomics expert who helped me out.