4 ways to make working conditions more comfortable and avoid pain

Have you ever stood up after using a computer and your lower back started to hurt? What about your neck or wrists? Chances are you’re not using your computer properly, which is causing all this pain and discomfort.

Adding a footrest under your desk is one way to be more comfortable while working. Tap or click here for three of the best options. But this is just one of many steps you may need to take to ease the pain of working long hours.

There’s a right way and a wrong way to position your monitor, chair, and keyboard among other computer components. Let’s talk about how to work more comfortably and ease those pains.

Let’s start with the placement of the monitor

Look at your monitor and take note of this. Are you looking up at the monitor or down? Look where the top of the monitor is. It should be at or slightly below your eye level.

If your monitor has an adjustable stand, lower it so you’re looking down instead of up. If you can’t adjust the height of your monitor, adjust the height of your chair or desk. This will relieve the tension in your neck almost instantly.

Check the height of the chair when you stand up

You have a position that you take every time you step away from your computer. It’s called the sit-to-stand position, and no one considers that when they think about back pain.

If your chair is so low that you have to lean forward and bend your torso to stand up, you are putting strain on your lower back without realizing it. Make sure your chair is high enough that you can lift it with your legs when standing without turning into a human bagel.

Consider purchasing a footstool

When you sit in front of your computer, you feel like your lower back is being bombarded from all directions. Your feet may be hanging too low if you’ve bolstered your chair and adjusted the height of your monitor.

Think about your skeletal system for a moment. If your legs are angled down as you keep the tukus lying on your chair, it starts to pull on your back for support.

Have you ever rested your feet on the casters of your office chair and felt more comfortable? This is a clear sign that it’s time to invest in a footrest.

Straighten your shoulders and sit

We adjusted for external factors. Now let’s focus on your posture. It’s easy to lean forward and arch our upper back unnecessarily while working on the computer. Pull your shoulders up, straighten your back and sit up straight. If this feels uncomfortable at first, it could indicate poor posture issues.

Consider investing in a lower lumbar support pillow. They help you stay in the correct sitting position throughout the day and feel pretty good at the same time.

Say goodbye to back pain

What do you think of your new setup and how does it feel? Wait a few days and notice how that discomfort in your back, shoulders and neck begins to subside. It won’t be immediate, but it will be noticeable.

Keep reading

Three crappy tech habits that are bad for your health

Top 5 best computer chairs to save your back and a desk everyone should have