Covid-19 means that many of us are now working from home. If your workstation is not optimal, this will increase the risk of neck or back pain and headaches.
The quick and easy solution to setting up at home is to throw the lap-top on the dining table. This may work well for short spells at the computer, but not so for a full day’s work. So how can we make it better?
Are you working on a laptop?
If so a separate keyboard and mouse make a big difference. Then the lap-top itself goes up on a plastic box (where are the old phone books when we need them?), the keyboard can be nice and close at elbow height.
Dining table?
A dining table is usually higher than a desk and dining chairs can’t be raised. Don’t forget your feet should be supported and thighs horizontal. If you don’t have an adjustable desk chair, you could sit on cushions. Then you may need a foot-stool or another plastic box under your feet. Don’t forget your feet should be supported and thighs horizontal. If you don’t have an adjustable desk chair, you could sit on cushions. Then you may need a foot-stool or another plastic box under your feet.
The mouse
As I said above, we’d like the wrist close to straight. If you’re having difficulty with this, try rolling up a face-cloth or tea towel and rest your wrist on this. You may need to use sticky tape to keep the cloth rolled up. I’d suggest the roll should be about 3.5cm high. Play with this for comfort.
Get out of your chair!
In your office most people are changing position and standing up from their chairs frequently, to attend meetings or chat to colleagues. I suggest you set an alarm and get up every half an hour. For example, fetch a glass of water, do some stretches while your up or walk around the dining table three times.
I wish everyone all the best in these difficult times.