Give your Home Office an Ergonomic Makeover

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Sometimes small ergonomic changes can make a big difference to avoid aches and pains when you work from home. With so many home office furniture options available today like corner desks for a smaller office, there is no excuse for setting up a cramped and unpleasant workspace.

Here are some ergonomic tips to get you started:

1. The office chair

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Pay special attention to your desk chair when you set up your home office. The chair should support your spine and the height should allow you to rest your feet flat with your knees level with your hips and your thighs parallel to the floor. If the chair is too high, use a footrest. The armrests should be placed so that your arms can rest gently while keeping your shoulders relaxed.

2. The Desk

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Choose a home office desk that allows you to place the computer monitor directly in front of you at arm's length away. The top of the computer screen should be at your eye level, or slightly below. Make sure to position the monitor directly behind the keyboard, and check to see if your wrists are straight when you type with your hands at or below your elbows. Buy a desk with clearance for your knees. Remember, it is not a good idea to store items underneath your desk since they can prevent you from placing your feet in the right position.

3. Useful Items

It is important to place important objects like the telephone, files and your stapler handy so you are not constantly reaching. If your job requires you to speak on the phone frequently, especially if you take notes by writing or typing, put your phone on speaker. Better yet, use a headset instead of holding your phone between your head and your shoulder.

4. Additional Tips

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There are some other things you can do to prevent bodily aches when you work. Pay attention to lighting, and if possible place your monitor with the brightest source of light to the side. You might consider an adjustable standing desk so you have the option of sitting or standing while working with your computer. Also, remember to get up and move around frequently. If you have enough space, you might consider a small sofa or recliner so you can relax or simply change your position.

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