Best Practices For Workspace Ergonomics

Whether you're working from home or the office , creating an ergonomic workspace that optimizes your comfort, wellbeing, and productivity is critical. We have a few tips for setting up the optimal workspace no matter where you are.

SHOP FLUIDSTANCE

The Basics Of The Perfect Workspace

Correct desk height and computer screen position are fundamental for improving comfort and minimizing any pain you may feel while working, from neck pain to eye strain and more.

1) Elbow Height

Whether you sit or stand for work, your desktop should be positioned at about elbow height. This means your elbows should be in a 90 degree position from the floor and your forearms should rest comfortably on the desk surface. As a guide for proper standing desk setup, the average 5’11” (180 cm) person would have their desk about 44 inches (111 cm) high. If you own a balance board like our FluidStance Level, make sure you accommodate for the extra 2.5-inches it adds to your height.

2) Screen Height and Viewing Distance

Recommendations for viewing distance are not black and white, but the general consensus is to have your screen roughly an arm's length from your face--just reach out your arm and if your fingertips touch your screen, you are in the correct ballpark.

As for height, the browser bar at the top of your screen should be eye level, with a small upwards tilt between 10 and 20 degrees. The idea is that you should never need to tilt your neck up or down. Our Raise desktop monitor riser can help you get your monitor screen to the correct position; it adds almost 5-inches in height.

3) Prevent Knee Lockout

If you've started working at a standing desk, or your job requires more standing than sitting, you might have noticed that your knees are locked out after working for awhile, potentially causing your feet to fall asleep from the lack of blood flow. Remember to keep your knees soft. Using a balance board helps keep that blood flowing all day long by adding subtle movement while you work from your standing desk.

4) Keep Hydration Nearby

Most people are dehydrated throughout their day. By keeping a source of hydration literally at your fingertips, you'll be more likely to keep drinking water throughout the day. The Fillup is a personal water tower that holds 70-oz., the recommended one day's worth of liquid for the average person. The stainless steel double-wall construction keeps your water cold all day, and the unit is easy to fill and easy to clean.

5) Don't Stand All Day

Keeping active throughout the day is important, but don't just stand there - MOVE. Take breaks every hour to step away and move your body. Take walking meetings and phone calls, sit when you're tired of standing and stand when you're tired of sitting, hop on a balance board when you Zoom, try riding your bike to the office once a week, after a meeting ends drop and do 10 pushups. It's absolutely critical to your health and wellbeing to make sure you are active every day, somehow, someway. Every little bit of movement during the day adds up and will benefit you not only physically, but mentally too.