Posting Thursday 13 early because Thursday is my Romancing the Blog columnist day. It’s easier to be productive if you make writing comfortable, so…13 fixes for your day at the keyboard.
1. Stimulate circulation. Get up, move away from the desk, do a few stretches or jumping jacks. Try this once an hour at least.
2. Eyestrain. Wear glasses? Put ’em on. Wear contacts? Check out a pair of those computer glasses.
3. Eyestrain B, check monitor settings. Make sure it’s adjusted for the right brightness, etc.
4. Eyestrain C, check your writing format. Are you in Times 12 pt? That puts 300 words per page as opposed to 250 and the compressed font makes it harder to read onscreen. Try switching to Courier New 12 pt. I write everything in this format now and my eyes thank me daily. Any time I have to work in a different format, it slows me down. A lot.
5. Eye positioning; the top of your screen should be eye level, sitting upright and relaxed.
6. Body positioning. Your arms should be level from elbow to wrist, not slanting up or down. Relaxed arms, neck, and shoulders will help prevent strain.
7. Uncomfortable keyboard. If yours feels awkward to you, get a more comfortable one. Ergonomic keyboards take a little getting used to, but if you like the feel of it it can significantly improve your typing experience.
8. Mouse positioning. If you’re always reaching for the mouse, you’re straining. Position it comfortably close to your keyboard and edge of desk. Get a wireless mouse, one with a longer cord, or plug it into a different spot if you have to in order to get it positioned right. Also check out a mouse pad with gel-filled wrist rest. I love mine.
9. Keyboard wrist rest, another need for gel-filled comfort.
10. Different workstations so you can change position. It can be cheap and low tech; a pad of paper at the kitchen table or couch.
11. Comfortable chair that supports your back and doesn’t cut off circulation on your legs.
12. Try to avoid having direct light coming from in front of or behind your screen. From behind, you’ll get glare onscreen. From the front, you’ll be looking towards the source of glare.
13. Keep your desk in a comfortable state, so it feels good to sit down there. If it’s too messy, too sterile, or too cold or too hot, you’ll want to avoid it just because it’s uncomfortable. If you have your back to a doorway and notice you’re always tense, close the door.
I’m definitely guilty of not getting up and stretching enough. Once I settle into work, I don’t stop until I run out of steam–usually 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 hours later. Some days it’s hard to move. And I have a good chair, but the circulation still gets cut off in my legs. I have a bad habit of curling my feet around the base of the chair.
Great TT, Charli! Lots of practical tips.
I forget to get up, too, NJ. I should set a timer or something. *g*
We’re supposed to stop and stretch? Not when I’m in the zone. No way. And work at my desk…nah! Have laptop and portable laptop tray will travel. 😀
Great advice, Charli! I think my back would be much happier if I follow it. I now have a pick post-it note on the corner of my screen that simply says MOVE.
I love my laptop and lapdesk. But sometimes it is good to sit at my desk. *g* Good idea on the post-it!
Can I blame my lack of progress on my office chair?
I mentioned you today on my TT – (hint hint)
If sitting in your chair for more than 5 minutes causes pain, then yes. You can legitimately blame your chair. (Although you can write standing up…I’ve done it.) Off to check out your TT!
Great list. I need to do more of that.
geeezzzz…. no wonder my head hurts, my back hurts…
Mechele, we can definitely make writing easier on ourselves! And it pays to make the effort.
Shi, LOL, I kept griping about headaches for weeks before it dawned on me that my screen needed to be adjusted and I was forgetting my glasses. Oops.
I’m definitely guilty of not doing … uh… like 10 of the things listed. That’s why I usually have headaches and backache by the time I get home from work.
Tempest, take care of your eyes and your back!
Hey, some good advice here. I’m kind of stuck on location, but some of these other things I could try out. Thanks.
Lisa, there’s a lot you can do to make life more comfortable (and ergonomically correct) even if you can’t move your desk at all.
these were great helpful hints Charli – i never thought about the times versus courier thing before. As a designer i usually hiss and make the sign of the cross when courier shows up – but as i get older eye strain has become a problem. I also LOVE my gel wrist brace on my mouse pad. Until i got that i would rub my wrist bone bleeding raw while drawing.
I *heart* my gel-filled wrist rest on my mousepad. With drawing, I bet it’s even more important.
And I know Courier isn’t pretty, but it is easy on the eyes.