Do you struggle with your workspace? Does your back hurt at the end of your day? You may be suffering from poor workspace ergonomics. This article will give you some tips to make your workspace more comfortable.
1. Choose the right desk: Your desk should be large enough so that you don’t feel cramped, but still allow you to be able to reach everything you need at arm’s length. You don’t want to have to stretch to reach things because that will cause strain.
2. Chair: Your chair may be the single most important piece of your setup, when it comes to ergonomics. A good chair will have adjustable height and good lumbar support. Don’t skimp on this. Buy the best chair you can afford.
3. Desk and chair height: When sitting at your chair, your feet should completely touch the ground. If they don’t, you end up straining your back. Adjust the height accordingly, or if you’re short like me, get a footstool to put your feet on.
4. Your desk height in relation to your chair should be set so that your arms rest at just about a 90 degree angle when you’re typing. Reaching down for the keys causes neck and shoulder strain, and can cause big problems over time.
5. Keyboard: If you feel strain in your wrists from typing, invest in an ergonomic keyboard. The keys will be set at an angle that is more natural for typing. This type of keyboard will take some getting used to, but most people who buy one really like it.
6. Lighting: Set up your lighting so that it is bright, but not blinding. Face your desk away from windows to cut out the glare. Architect lamps provide targeted lights, desk lamps provide a softer glow. Depending on what work you do, especially if you work with color, you may prefer natural light. Try a few different things and see what works best.
7. Monitor Height: Your monitor should be about at arm’s length distance from your keyboard, and it should be positioned so that the top of the monitor is just about at eye level. This also reduces neck and eye strain. If your monitor sits too low, put it on a box or brick so that it’s at just the right height.
8. BONUS: Get a mousepad with a gel pad to rest your hand on. If you’re going to use it all day, you might as well be comfortable!
Follow these simple steps, and you’ll be feeling much better, more comfortable, and more productive every day at your desk. 
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Hey Lisa!
Nice post! Good to see you spreading the word for ergonomics
There is just one part that I disagree slightly on and that is the keyboard section. As I understand, there has been recent research that suggests that a flatter keyboard puts less strain on the wrist. Basically you’re aiming for the hands to lie in the most natural posture. If you lie your hand palm down on a surface you want to be aiming for as close to this posture when you’re typing. So if you have feet underneath your keyboard put these down, otherwise you will be using more muscles to hold your hands at a higher angle.
Keep up the good work!
Hey, thanks for visiting! Personally, I use my keyboard flat, like you described. It just feels more natural to me. I know some people, though, who use the curved keyboards that allow your hands to rest on the keys at an angle without bending your wrists. My wrists don’t bother me so it’s not something I use.
It’s great to have options.