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Be Comfortable at your Desk

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Recently, I talked about what to look for when buying a desk. I would say the number one priority should be comfort. With most of us spending large amounts of time at our desk, it is critical for our body’s health to be comfortable, and have a good grasp on ergonomics.

  • Take hourly breaks. It’s important that you take time away from the computer, so that you do not damage your eyes. Go and read a chapter of a book every so often so that your eyes can focus on something different than the glare of a computer screen. This also will cause less pain in your back from sitting in your computer chair, and stop any aches and pains that may start in your body.
  • Use any tools or features of equipment that can help to ensure comfort. For instance, if you have a keyboard with a wrist rest, then this can allow you to relax whilst typing. If you have a mouse pad with a wrist rest on it also, usually made out of a soft material, this can also come in handy.
  • Do not position your equipment out of reach. When you are finished typing and need to use the mouse, make sure it is close so you are not stretching over to grab it. It is also useful when buying a mouse to see if you are comfortable with the design such as where your thumb rests.
  • Do not use a computer whilst tired or under the influence of alcohol. With alcohol slowing down your reactions you may do something you didn’t mean to do, don’t realize or even worse… you could knock over the beer onto your keyboard. Also if you are tired, you get irritated, and you can’t perform to your best when using the computer. This will cause stress, and your work may be affected. Besides, you don’t want to cause an extra bug in that program which could be perfect with a good night’s sleep.
  • Sit upright, ensure you have enough leg room, and your feet are positioned so that they are flat on the ground. Also, make sure that your chair is at the right height, so that you can easily reach the keyboard and mouse.

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29 Comments

I agree with tip 1 a lot. Getting up and taking a break is a great way to clear your mind and relax the eyes/brain.

Only thing I get is a kitchen chair. >_>

CUI:Computing under the influence!

I am breaking the eye-line monitor rule.

*straightens myself*

I’m Breaking the chair rule. I need to work on that maybe to straighten my posture i should duct tape a piece of 2X4 wood to back to fix that. lol

same here
i slouch a lot

ps, i play cs best while sleep deprived

Those tips were great and I break a lot of those rules it seems.

i cant do the keyboard tray thing either… 6′7 bitchs

I’m 5″10 at 14 years old and I’m having no problems with computer desks and trays. Though ill only be about 6″0 when I’m 18 or so, so i wont have any problems.

Being tall isn’t always better and definitely does not make you stronger. I saw some 5″1 dude kick the (#(@ out of some huge tall dude.

Its harder to get fat when your tall to.

my tray is only wide enough for my keyboard

I use to be comfortable at my desk, then my chair broke. My new one is to low. Although I do take breaks a lot so I’m not all that uncomfortable when I sit here.

Yup, these are all good tips however, I don’t follow a few of these. I’m always tired and I never take the hourly breaks. I can’t compute under the influence legally yet so I don’t have any experience yet.

keyboard rests are bad for you. YOU MUST USE A KEYBOARD TRAY!

whoa 6′7 nice..im only 6′1 sucks hopefully i will get taller i m only 16

Whoot! Glad im not the only one.

I never considered 300,000 just a few pennies. How about a chair within normal peoples’ budget?

i need a new desk i cant fit my mouse on my keyboard tray :(

at what time is the live show in europe??
(germany)

i’m only 5′9 and i’m 17

ok… thats freaky… you really might end up 7′1 O_o! Well.. pretty sweet for a hight… bet you get to smack plenty of balls while playing bball.

I bought a 1 1/2 inch foam mattress for myself at christmas and i couldnt sleep with it. So it fitted it onto my chair and its comfy as hell. :D

the show is shot at various times at the day.
you just have to keep watching

I have a 20$ Office chair from my counti’s freecycle program. I can’t believe how comfy this thing is… What people give away for free! :P

What Do You Think?