Etchings on the Attic Wall

Highly Effective Work Habits:  Set up an ergonomic workspace

It is awfully hard to concentrate at work if you are in an uncomfortable environment.  Long term, this can also negatively effect your health.  Some of the problems you may develop are back pain, eye fatigue, vertigo, carpal tunnel, and neck strain.  To combat these, you may need to rearrange your work environment.  Here are some suggestions:

• If you are at a computer all day, get a wrist pad for your mouse and keyboard.  I’ve been using these for years and they’ve been keeping me productive with no pain.  Without them, my wrists start experiencing pain in about 10 minutes.
• Make sure you are at eye level with your monitor.  If you are consistently looking up or down, you could get neck pain over time.
• If you are using a mouse/keyboard, your elbow should be bent at a 90 degree angle.  Reaching down, up, or too far out to get to them can add pressure to your back.
• Make sure you are sitting upright and add any necessary lumbar support to your lower back.
• Your legs should be at a 90 degree angle with your feet flat on the floor (or footrest).
• Look away from your monitor every 20-30 minutes or so.  This will reduce strain on your eyes and allow them to refocus.
• Get up and walk around a bit every hour or so.  Let your body stretch out so you don’t get rigamortis sitting down all day

You’ll find that once you work in a comfortable position, you’ll be a lot more productive, have reduced stress, and less aches and pains at the end of the day.