I have been a computer user since I was eight years old. And in all that time I never felt uncomfortable at my desk, until about six months ago, when my age caught up with me. My body started to ache, my eyes started to hurt, my neck was killing me and I felt fatigued no matter how much I slept or rested.
After much trouble, I found three effective solutions that dramatically increased my daily productivity:a low-carb diet, regular stretching, and ergonomic work table settings.
This last point is important for anyone who spends more than four hours on the computer every day. And that's true whether you spend those hours writing articles, playing games, or even just browsing Facebook. Don't be like me and underestimate the boosting effects of a proper workstation.
Here's what you can do to optimize your own desktop. And the best part? Most of these tips are set and forgotten, which means that a few minutes of effort now can result in hours and hours of comfort later. It is absolutely worth it.
Like most people, you probably have one of those chairs with a pneumatic lever. What To Look For In The Perfect Office Chair What To Look For In The Perfect Office Chair Choosing the right office chair is absolutely crucial. The decision on which to buy shouldn't be made lightly, especially if you'll be spending several hours each day sitting in the... Read More And like most people, your chair height is probably too high.
How to find the ideal height for your chair: For best results, your thighs should be parallel to the ground when sitting and your knees should be at a 90-degree angle. A quick trick to get the right height on a shot is to stand in front of your chair and adjust it so that the edge of the seat touches the bottom of your kneecaps.
And on a related note, the depth of the saddle is also important. You should always sit with your butt at the back of the seat, and there should be about a fist of space between the edge of the seat and the back of your calves. If the seat is too deep, it will be prone to slipping forward and slouching, hindering circulation to the lower legs.
The problem with the chair tip above is that the correct chair height often puts you in an awkward position relative to your desk.
Ideally, your elbows rest on your ribs and form a 90-degree angle with your desk, allowing your forearms to rest parallel to the floor. If there is a mismatch between the height of the chair and the height of the desk, there are a few solutions you can try.
What to do if your desk is too low: Try placing your desk on furniture risers (UK), which can increase the height by several inches if needed. If you have a desk with interchangeable legs (like the ones at IKEA), upgrade to a better size. Otherwise, you'll just have to buy a taller desk.
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What to do if your desk is too tall: Tall desks can lead to wrist or shoulder/neck problems, depending on how you adjust to excess height. One solution is to install a keyboard tray under the desk so your arms don't have to reach as high. Another option is to raise the height of your chair and use an adjustable footrest (UK) to keep your knees at a 90-degree angle.
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After adjusting your chair and desk heights, you'll likely encounter a third problem:your computer monitor is either too high or too low. If You're Using a Laptop Don't Break Your Back:5 Tips for Using a Laptop in Comfort Don't Break Your Back:5 Tips for Using a Laptop in Comfort Laptops are small, light and portable. They're also, in a strange twist of fate, often much more cumbersome than the bulky desks they replace. Being forced to place the screen, trackpad, and keyboard on... Read More
The wrong monitor height can lead to all sorts of physical issues like dry eyes, eye strain, neck strain, tight shoulders, tension headaches and more, and these little inconveniences will destroy your productivity if you don't eliminate them. /P>
How to adjust the height of your monitor: Ideally, the top of the screen should be in line with your eyes when you sit up straight in your chair and look straight ahead. If it's too low, just put some hardcover books under it to prop it up, or get fancy with an adjustable monitor stand (UK). If it's too tall, you may need to increase the height of your chair and place your keyboard on the books to maintain the 90-degree bend in your elbows.
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On the one hand, it is true that the distance between your eyes and the monitor does not have a direct effect on your vision. Fiction or reality? 6 Myths About Screens and Monitors (With Verdicts) Fact or Fiction? 6 Myths About Screens and Monitors (With Verdicts) How many of these screen-related myths have you heard? How many do you think? You may be surprised which ones are true and which ones are not. Read more . But there is an indirect effect:the distance can cause the head to bend or stop blinking or squinting constantly, all of which can cause various types of tension.
What is the appropriate distance for a monitor? There isn't one. “Too Close” and “Too Far” Subjective distances that may change depending on monitor size, screen resolution, the quality of your eyesight, and the limitations of your desk space. Start with the monitor at arm's length and adjust it so you can read without having to tilt your head or hunch forward.
It's a well-known fact that long-term exposure to artificial lighting can lead to mood and productivity issues. It can even contribute to seasonal affective disorder (“winter blues”). Natural light plays an important role in mental health, so don't neglect the position of your desk in relation to the windows in your office.
Is the lack of natural light the only problem? No. Whether your workbench is under natural or artificial light, you need to make sure the brightness of your screen matches the brightness of the ambient light. Lots of light around you? Brighter screen. Not so much light? Darker screen. This will prevent eyestrain, which can lead to computer fatigue and slower productivity.
Cognitive disorder is real. The messier your workspace, the more mental energy it takes to process all that clutter, and that mental energy detracts from your other tasks. If you think of your brain as a CPU, your workspace is like a rogue app that takes up CPU cycles even when you're idle.
And that's why eliminating clutter is good for productivity. It's one of those things you don't realize you're stuck with, but as soon as you take the time to clean, you'll notice the cognitive benefits right away, and the benefits can't be underestimated.
Here are some tips to help you minimize clutter: As a general rule, if you use it every day, then it can stay on your desktop. Otherwise, store it in a drawer or cabinet and pull it out as needed. Keep a trash can by your desk so you can effortlessly dispose of waste. If you need to save a document, scan it as a PDF before throwing it away. The best printers and scanners for your printing and scanning needs [Gadget Corner] The best printers and scanners for your printing and scanning needs [Gadget Corner] Okay, I know What you're thinking. Printers and scanners? Yawn. Who cares? They're not slim, they don't run apps (usually), and they're made by companies like HP, which as a brand, is becoming… Read More .
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You'd be surprised how much a single change in environment can affect your workflow. If the room feels like a sterile hospital ward, your brain may refuse to work, unless you prefer it to be sterile, in which case plants and decorations may end up as distractions.
There is no such thing as a “Perfect” Office Environment. What is ideal for me may be the opposite of what is best for you. The important thing is that you identify what works for you and make it happen. You're not sure where to start? No problem.
Details of the environment that tend to increase productivity: Houseplants have been shown to prevent fatigue during jobs that require attention. Warmer office temperatures have also been linked to better production and fewer errors. For wall color, reds and whites can stifle productivity, while soft blues and greens can help focus.
We know that prolonged sitting is detrimental to your health, and because of that, standing desks have grown in popularity over the last decade. Standing desks can be great, but they come with a number of caveats – you have to use them properly to reap the benefits. And according to some recent studies, standing all day may not be much better than sitting all day.
So this is what I do:I have both. I alternate between my sitting table and my standing table every hour. This prevents me from being stationary and reminds me to move from time to time. This can be difficult if you have a desktop computer, so consider investing in an adjustable standing desk.
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Hopefully these tips have helped transform your desktop into a productivity platform. If you have any other tips or tricks we may have missed, please share them with us below!
