Ergonomics 101
Setting up your desk so that it is ergonomically correct will help resolve life’s complex questions such as: is my pounding headache caused from happy hour last night or from the annoying angle of my neck as I stare at this mindless spreadsheet on my computer? All kidding aside, desktop ergonomics has become a huge industry over the last few years with large companies hiring private consultants to evaluate worksite setups and has generated such buzzwords as “neutral body positioning” a.k.a. “a comfortable working posture in which your joints are naturally aligned.” Making a few adjustments to how your cube is setup can improve the quality of your life on a daily basis. As such, we turn to the real ergonomic experts “OSHA” (or the long-winded version: US Department of Labor - Occupational Safety & Health Administration) for the following tips on how to produce an ergonomically correct workstation:
* Your head should be in-line with the torso and approximately 20-4o inches from your monitor. The top of the monitor should be at or slightly below (15-20 degrees) eye level.
* Your shoulders should be relaxed with your upper arms hanging comfortably at the side of your body. Your elbows should be close to your body and bent between 90 and 120 degrees. Your hands, wrists, and forearms should all be straight, in-line and roughly parallel to the floor. Consider a wrist pad if your wrists tend to bend while you type.
* Your back should fully supported with appropriate lumbar support when sitting vertically or leaning back slightly.
* Your thighs and hips should be supported by a well-padded seat and generally parallel to the seat. Your knees should be the same height as the hips with the feet slightly forward. Your feet should be well supported by the floor or a footrest.
Ok… now that we are done with the “leg bone is connected to the knee bone” type rundown… remember these key tips from OSHA: take frequent stretch/walk breaks (i.e. take guilt-free walks to Starbucks or Pinkberry) and keep your desk clutter free (i.e. visit stylemycube.com often).
