Relieve Desk Discomfort

If you work all day at a desk, or even work from home but still use a desk, it can be tough to sit all day in front of a screen of light trying to build your business empire. A variety of health issues can arise from working at a desk for too long that can lead to the need for pain medications or even physical therapy.

Use these tips to improve your comfort while ticking away at that keyboard:

• Avoid Eye Strain (i.e.Computer-Vision Syndrome): Try the 20-20-20 rule. Look away from your computer screen every 20 minutes and focus on an object at least 20 feet away for about 20 seconds.

• Keep Your Wrists Level: Angle your keyboard away from you to maintain wrist alignment and keep your mouse close to avoid overreaching.

• Take A Break: Allow yourself 5-10 minutes every hour to stretch, hydrate or walk around to move those muscles and joints. This helps relieve stress and helps the body recover from repetitive tasks.

• Plant Your Feet: Adjust your chair so your feet are flat on the floor and your knees are at a 90 degree angle. Use a footrest or stool under your desk if you need further support. This keeps your back in alignment and saves you a trip to the chiropractor.

• Move Your Monitor: Keep your computer monitor at least an arms length away and at or slightly below eye level. Adjust the lighting if you notice yourself squinting when viewing your screen.

• Go Hands Free: If you are on the phone longer than 5 minutes, get a headset or put your phone on speaker. Avoid hugging the phone between your shoulder and head which causes neck strain and discomfort.

• Work Out: Adding some core workouts to your exercise routine will help support your back and improve your posture.