I have been working in front of computers ever since 1997. As my business grew, the more hours I have spent in front of a computer. As my career life started to become more time consuming over my hobbies, more hours in front of the computer has given me all sorts of occasional pains of not moving around. But if our job really requires being in front of the computer for extended hours, everything will just have to be set right.
This is where ergonomics comes in. It is essential that no extra physical strain is experienced within long hours of working, sitting down in a stationary position. Sometimes, a position may not feel that much strain but after some extended number of hours, the pain starts to set in. And just looking for the right equipment, can fix everything up for you.
Here are three things I always take into consideration to avoid these physical strains due to poor ergonomics.
- My Table
- My Chair
- My Monitor Platform
My Table
I always make is a point that it is at a proper height, has enough leg room to move your knees from left to right if required and does not hit any table legs. Keyboard height should be adjustable to place your hands in the right position when the palms are not bent backwards to avoid carpal tunnel syndrome. Arms should be bent in 90 degrees, and monitor if possible elevated higher than the keyboard level. I personally like the Studio RTA Workstation Table, I this very ideal as my own computer table at home. A keyboard at elbow level is the most relaxing and if the height is a bit too high, your body tends to raise your shoulders that you really do not notice you are doing. And this starts the shoulder strain.
My Chair
Your chair and table work hand in hand. But not all tables go with some chairs. That is why adjustable keyboard height in tables is important as well as the adjustable height of the chair. A chair should be adjustable in many ways making sure that your legs are bent at the knees by 90 degrees and your arms also at 90 degrees by the elbow. Back should be straight perpendicular to the ground. The arm rest of the chair is preferably adjustable as various body types come in all sizes and if these arm rest are too high, you tend to pull up your shoulders for long periods of time and cause shoulder pains after some number of hours. Sometimes during hot seasons with not much powerful office air-conditioning, leather seats or cushion seats do not give enough ventilation and we tend to perspire. Mesh seats would be perfect for this purpose. If made correctly, the contours should make it very comfortable to sit on. I like the new mesh office chair at BizChair.com, perfect chair for my working conditions.
My Monitor Platform
Sometimes the height of the monitor in the computer table is just not enough. If you tend to look down with your help tilted for some number of hours you develop some strain on your nape which can also give you headaches as well. There are many on the market, various kinds everywhere. I like panel monitors and some arm that clamps on the table, although I have also seen this type of monitor riser for CRT monitors. Just use one which works for you. It is best to have your monitor at your same eye level to avoid bending your head down giving strain on your neck.
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