How to Stop Your Desk From Hurting You
Your neck and shoulders are so stiff you’re convinced they’ll crumble to dust if you try to move too suddenly. What in the world did you do? Maybe the culprit is closer than you think.
Every year thousands of work hours are lost because of repetitive-motion injuries caused by, of all things: just sitting at your desk.
Here are 4 ways to optimize your workspace:
- Find your natural posture…and work around it. Ideally, your back should be straight and your shoulders in a relaxed position. Your hips should be positioned so that your spine is lined up properly. Now that you have your natural position, build your office space around it.
- Position your keyboard and mouse or other pointing device so they’re within easy reach. They should be set so that your arms are at or below a 90 degree angle in order to reduce strain. The keyboard should be about 1 or 2 inches above your thighs.
- Align your computer monitor so that when you stretch out your arm the tips of your fingers can brush across the screen without having to move your shoulders. To adjust the height, close your eyes. When you open them, your eyes should land on the address bar of the webpage you’re on.
- To help you sustain your natural posture, find a chair that offers good lumbar support. When you sit, your feet should be firmly on the floor, not dangling in front of you.
Desk ergonomics isn’t just a fancy word. It can save you time and money, not to mention your joints.