Seven Tips on Working at Your Computer >> Productivity and Ergonomics

By Jerry J James

Job Tips >> We usually must spend many hours in front of our computers. Establishing correct placement of monitor, keyboard and mouse along with assuring comfortable sitting height and posture can go along way toward reducing desk related injury and increasing health and productivity. Here are seven helpful computer workstation tips toward working healthier, increasing productivity and minimizing injury.

1. Get the CPU off of the desk. It should be within arm's reach if you need to insert a memory stick, CD or DVD, but the day of the floppy is long gone, so save the valuable desk real estate for important projects instead of the CPU.
2. Position work surface so that your feet rest flat on the floor. You can use a footrest if needed. Legs should comfortably fit underneath and posture should be upright assuring good blood flow to the legs. Get up and stretch regularly.
3. Keyboard should be at a comfortable height where upper arm can relax, not placed to high where you have to lift your shoulders to use the keyboard creating undue stress on shoulders and neck. It should have a slight tilt toward you.
4. Elbows should be at right angles to allow the wrists to be straight. So you can type with your fingers alone and not stress the entire upper body. This can also minimize the risk of carpal tunnel syndrome. Frequent breaks are a must, so pace your workflow to do typing and then perhaps filing (documents not nails J), or other non-repetitive task.
5. Monitor should be placed directly in front of you and centered. Turning your neck or holding it to one side can cause neck tension and headaches. It should be at least the width of the monitor away from you to avoid excess eye strain.
6. Keep your back against the back rest of the chair and invest in a good ergonomically designed chair that supports lower back. Sitting on an unsuitable chair for extended periods of time is the fastest way toward back, neck, shoulder and other physical problems associated with long periods at the workstation.
7. Take regular breaks. Even a 1 minute break to get up and stretch is helpful to get the blood circulating better in addition to regular longer breaks. Your work will be more efficient and productive.

Extra Tip: It is better to be productive when working at a workstation. This goes more toward productivity than ergonomics, but working on the computer for extended hours is taxing enough on mind, eyes, neck and shoulders, fingers and wrists. So if you are not going to be productive, take the time to go for a walk, get a bite to eat or do other non-chair tasks. You will be more refreshed and able to tackle the computer tasks if you have not worn down your daily dose of sitting and typing on non-essential tasks. Here's to staying healthy and maximizing your comfort in at your workstation.

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