3 Ways to Adjust to Working from Home

Optimize your Space

Make sure your desk accessories (that means everything from your computer monitor to your mouse) are a good fit for your body and your space. In particular, be sure to:

  • Keep keyboards directly in front of you
  • Make sure the top of your monitor is at or below eye level
  • Monitor should be placed a minimum of 20 inches away from your face
  • Blink and rest your eyes periodically when working for long periods in front of a monitor
  • Keep your mouse close to your keyboard and use keyboard shortcuts to avoid overuse
  • Use wrist supports to help minimize stress and maintain straight wrist posture during typing and mousing
  • Test different chairs, because you’ll want something with a backrest that adapts to your body, whether it’s the curve of your spine, cushioned support for your arms, or the right amount of lumbar support.
  • Desks need to allow enough clearance for your legs

Attend to Your Posture

Maintaining good posture is perhaps one of the most crucial elements in a healthy workstation setup. When you’re working at a seated computer station, your aim should be to achieve what experts call a neutral body position in order to reduce unnecessary strain. To do it correctly:

  • Keep your hands, wrists, and forearms straight and parallel to the floor
  • Make sure your head is facing forward and aligned with your torso
  • Keep your elbows bent close to the body between 90 and 120 degrees
  • Place your feet fully on the floor (or on a footrest)
  • Use an adjustable-height chair with lumbar support when sitting and make sure your thighs and hips are also supported
  • Keep your knees at the same height as your hips with your feet slightly forward
  • A standing desk, providing the monitor can be eye level, is a great option

Move Around

No matter well you are set up, it’s never a good idea to sit in the same position for hours on end.

  • Set an alarm on your phone to remind you to change your position throughout the day
  • Stretch, move around, adjust your chair and its position, and perform some of your work tasks while in a non-seated position whenever possible

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