The Best Computer Tips and Tricks: Ergonomics

Care About the Chair

Proper posture is crucial to ergonomic success. To keep your feet on the floor, arms parallel with the desk, head up, and back straight, invest in a quality office chair, such as the budget-friendly $149.99 OfficeMax Mesh Managers Chair. If you have short legs or a tall workstation, consider pairing your chair with a footrest.

Get Rid of Glare

When ambient light hits your monitor screen, it produces a ton of eye-straining glare. To cut down on the damage, dim the overhead lights and install a desk lamp. Also, avoid positioning your screen in front of an uncovered window; instead, place your monitor perpendicular to the window and use blinds or curtains to cut down on outside light.

Perfect Your Peripherals

The battle against carpal tunnel syndrome begins with an adjustable keyboard and an ergonomically friendly mouse. Also crucial is your peripheral positioning: Place your keyboard directly in front of you at a height that keeps your forearms parallel with the floor. Your mouse should be to the left or the right of the keyboard, but no more than a few inches away.

Take Stretch Breaks

No matter how ergonomically awesome your workstation may be, your body still needs regular breaks from all that sitting, typing, staring, and mousing. Software programs like Stretch Break can issue alarms to remind you when to take a rest; it also runs through some easy exercises you can do at your desk.

Position Your Monitor

A correctly positioned monitor leads to better productivity. Make sure your display is directly in front of you, not off to one side. Raise the screen so the top edge is roughly at eye level, and then tilt the display upward so you're not craning to see the bottom of the screen. Finally, position the monitor an arm's length away from your head.