7 Tips on Working at Your Computer - Productivity and Ergonomics

We usually must spend many hours in front of4. Elbows should be at right angles to allow the
our computers. Establishing correct placement ofwrists to be straight. So you can type with your
monitor, keyboard and mouse along with assuringfingers alone and not stress the entire upper
comfortable sitting height and posture can gobody. This can also minimize the risk of carpal
along way toward reducing desk related injurytunnel syndrome. Frequent breaks are a must, so
and increasing health and productivity. Here arepace your workflow to do typing and then
seven helpful computer workstation tips towardperhaps filing (documents not nails J), or other
working healthier, increasing productivity andnon-repetitive task.
minimizing injury.5. Monitor should be placed directly in front of you
and centered. Turning your neck or holding it to
1. Get the CPU off of the desk. It should be withinone side can cause neck tension and headaches. It
arm's reach if you need to insert a memory stick,should be at least the width of the monitor away
CD or DVD, but the day of the floppy is longfrom you to avoid excess eye strain.
gone, so save the valuable desk real estate for6. Keep your back against the back rest of the
important projects instead of the CPU.chair and invest in a good ergonomically designed
2. Position work surface so that your feet restchair that supports lower back. Sitting on an
flat on the floor. You can use a footrest ifunsuitable chair for extended periods of time is
needed. Legs should comfortably fit underneaththe fastest way toward back, neck, shoulder and
and posture should be upright assuring good bloodother physical problems associated with long
flow to the legs. Get up and stretch regularly.periods at the workstation.
3. Keyboard should be at a comfortable height7. Take regular breaks. Even a 1 minute break to
where upper arm can relax, not placed to highget up and stretch is helpful to get the blood
where you have to lift your shoulders to use thecirculating better in addition to regular longer
keyboard creating undue stress on shoulders andbreaks. Your work will be more efficient and
neck. It should have a slight tilt toward you.productive.