Computer Workstations
Let's face it! You need a comfortable and inspiring workstation where you can be relaxed and productive with a minimum of wear and tear on your eyes, hands, and body. Before you even get started setting up your workstation, check out the light sources in the room and then orient the workstation so that bright light illuminates your workstation from a right angle. The placement of the light source and the intensity of illumination, be it natural or electric, is crucial to your health and productivity and most importantly, to your enjoyment of the tasks at hand. You need to enhance the monitor images in order to avoid eye-strain and even body-ache. Therefore, choose or use lighting that provides you with a range of angles and intensity.
When creating the actual computer workstation there are at least a dozen tips from hardcore techies who have already learned the hard way! Starting with the desk, make sure it is large enough to accomodate the monitor (at a distance of approximately 20" away from your eyes) and of course, the keyboard and mouse! Go for a matte finish on your desk or table, avoiding glass, so as to prevent too much glare coming off the screen. It's important to have a document holder that is stable. It should be the same distance and height from your eyes as the screen is.
A great investment is a "hands-free" headset so that you can receive incoming calls while keeping your shoulders down and your head upright. Speaking of posture, when setting up your workstation do consider safe and comfortable posture as your number one goal. If every component of your workstation leads to that you'll be rockin'!
Tips
- The top of the monitor should be at eye-level or slightly below. Use angle and tilt options on your monitor to find your comfort zone.
- Feet should be flat on the floor without the chair cutting into the backs of your legs.
- Elbows should be supported by your chair.
- You should be able to vary your posture with the aid of an excellent chair which is adjustable, swivels, and rolls!
- Invest in a separate wrist-rest so that your hands and wrists stay in line with your forearms.
Above all, remember to vary your tasks with other work and take mini-breaks and brain rejuvenating pauses while at the computer workstation. Walk away from it and come back and sit down frequently to enhance your circulation. Keep that blood movin'. Keep that brain groovin'!
