What Makes A Truly Efficient Office Workstation

Last Updated on August 22, 2022 by Work In My Pajamas

Staying long hours at demanding jobs such as writing, designing or a programming can take a toll on your health and productivity alike. As we are very much acquainted with the hardship daily workload brings, we decided to compile a very concrete guide that could make your office activities less painful and more efficient.

Organization

The reliable organizational method for optimal results consists of separating the working station in two sections:

• The working area at hand must contain all of the often used objects so you don’t waste time reaching out to them or wondering about their whereabouts.
• The longer, but still within-reach range should include items you utilize periodically and they matter too.

Chair

Just remember the frequent, uneasy fidgeting in your office chair: wouldn’t you like to know how to adjust your position to alleviate the pressure and displeasure of constant sitting? Here’s how:

• The distance between your thighs and desk bottom should be 5cm minimum when you’re sitting.
• If you cannot touch the floor in full length of feet, make sure you use footrest.
• The position of your back with regard to the seating surface should be at 95 or 100 degrees.
• Fix your knees around 5cm away from the seat edge in sitting pose.
• Appropriate angle of the knee should be 90-100 degrees, as it is the case with elbow and armrest.

Monitor

The screen top should nest at the eye level or not more than 10cm below. The safe stretch between the monitor and your eyes should be in 55-70cm range and individually adjusted. The 5 degree vertical slant is advisable. Fine tune the computer’s brightness settings according to personal needs.

Light

If the possibilities allow it, put the monitor so the main light source is on the side or at a 45 degree angle left or right from us. Turn off the monitor to detect origin of the potential glare (sunlight, window, inside light). In case you do find, tilt or reposition the monitor, and use curtains too. If you need a more directed light generator, look online for table lamps that can fully conform to your specific needs.

Keyboard and Mouse

Keyboard wise, type lightly with slightly bent fingers using moderate pressure. Resist the urge to place your wrist on mousepad or other surfaces when using the keyboard, keep the fingers floating. The wrists themselves should be straight in upright and horizontal position. The upper arm should maintain vertical relative to body and near our sides.

Normally, the keyboard should rest totally flat on the desktop, but longer workdays allow lifting it around 5 degrees up. The whole palm should cover the mouse while the fingers are clicking gently.

Stance

When posture is in question, all joints alike should be positioned at 95-105 degrees from the straight position. The feet should find its place on footrest level. Ensure that your spine is not suffering and it’s properly set. Your head is supposed to bend down a bit, with ears and shoulders aligned.

Vision

Your vision is nothing to sneeze at, so make sure to keep the gaze directed at the monitor or being positioned somewhat above. Looking up is putting strain to your eyes. Favour glasses to contacts for lengthy computer sessions.

Causes of the Most Common Workstation-Related Issues

Headaches are a frequent symptom of office engagement and may be caused by: continual work without mini breaks, monitor glare, eye tension from closeness or distance of the screen.

The excessive tiredness, blurry sight, burning sensation or red eyes are all consequences of one of these: eye strain from closeness or distance of the screen, screen glare, surplus or deficit of monitor brightness, monotonous tempo, twinkling picture, lack of eye moisture.

We cannot pass the backpain in this list as it is one the most worrying outcomes of irregular posture: the remaining in single position without altering the pose or getting up occasionally, faulty sitting position, the seat/desk is overly low or high, the monitor is far away or too close.

These were the essentials of a highly effective workstation. Now it’s up to you to boost your office productivity and stay at maximum health in so doing.