10 ways to boost your productivity and comfort

November 11, 2015

Sitting in front of a screen for long periods puts stress on your body and mind, but it's easy to tweak your environment so that using your computer becomes more comfortable and productive. Try these 10 smart tips.

10 ways to boost your productivity and comfort

A healthier way to work

  1. Remove your hands from your mouse when not using it to reduce static muscle work.
  2. Use your arm, not just your wrist, to move the mouse if you find this more comfortable.
  3. Position the keyboard so that your forearms are nearly horizontal and your wrists are straight when you type.
  4. Keep commonly used items, such as the keyboard and phone, within comfortable reach.
  5. Regularly modify your posture to reduce fatigue, but avoid twisting your body.
  6. Adjust the height of your seat so that your elbows are approximately level with the desk and your lower back is supported by the back of the chair.
  7. Position your screen so that you can focus on it without leaning forward. The top of the screen should be just below eye level.
  8. If your feet dangle and don't reach the floor, use a footrest.
  9. Reduce the screen brightness to a comfortable level.
  10. Cut glare from windows by changing the screen angle or fitting suitable blinds.

The ideal seating position

When working long hours at a computer, the way you sit can greatly impact your comfort and productivity. The following points describe the ideal seating position.

  • Screen about one arm's length from head
  • Eyes aligned with top of screen
  • Wrists almost straight
  • Arms perpendicular to floor
  • Thighs nearly horizontal
  • Feet comfortably on floor

The way your desk is set up and how your body is positioned while working can influence how productive you are over the long term. But even with the best posture and work environment, remember that regularly standing up and being active away from your desk is crucial for a balanced, healthy lifestyle.

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