Edit ArticleHow to Sit at a Computer Sitting at a computer for long periods of time can take a toll on your body. By not sitting with the correct posture, it is easy to end up with back pain, neck pain, knee pains, and a tingling of the hands and fingers. Here are some tips on maintaining good ergonomics and staying comfortable at your desk during the day. Note: A 2006 study indicated that rather than an up-right position a more relaxed one at 135 degrees is suggested to relieve lower back pain. Sit close to your keyboard. Adjust the keyboard height. Adjust the tilt of your keyboard based on your sitting position. Position your monitor properly. Adjust the monitor and any source or reference documents so that your neck is in a neutral, relaxed position. Center the monitor directly in front of you, above your keyboard. Position the top of the monitor approximately 2-3” above your seated eye level. If you wear bifocals, lower the monitor to a comfortable reading level.
Sit at least an arm's length away from the screen and adjust the distance for your vision. Reduce any glare by carefully positioning the screen, which you should be looking almost straight at, but partially looking down. Adjust any curtains or blinds as needed. Adjust the vertical screen angle and screen controls to minimize glare from overhead lights. Position the source documents directly in front of you, and use an in-line copy stand. An articulating keyboard tray can provide optimal positioning of input devices. However, it should accommodate the mouse, enable leg clearance, and have an adjustable height and tilt mechanism. The tray should not push you too far away from other work materials, such as your telephone If you do not have a fully adjustable keyboard tray, you may need to adjust your workstation height and the height of your chair, or use a seat cushion to get in a comfortable position. Remember to use a footrest if your feet dangle. Take small breaks during your workday to release some of that muscle tension.
Studies have shown that constant sitting is very damaging to your health. Try walking around for a couple minutes, standing and doing stretches—anything to break up a full day of sitting on your bottom is good for you! Take short 1-2 minute stretch breaks every 20-30 minutes. After each hour of work, take a break or change tasks for at least 5-10 minutes. Always try to get away from your computer during lunch breaks. Avoid eye fatigue by resting and refocusing your eyes periodically. Look away from the monitor and focus on something in the distance. Rest your eyes by covering them with your palms for 10-15 seconds. Use correct posture when working. Keep moving as much as possible. Exercise your hand by pushing on top of your fingers, and using backward resistance movements. It's very important to stand and walk around while sitting for 30 minutes, because prolonged sitting can cause pelvic nerve pain. Also, years of prolonged sitting can lead to other health problems.
That 1-2 minute break after 30 minutes isn't that bad when it helps to prevent other pain and possible serious issues. Other techniques to reduce glare include use of optical glass glare filters, light filters, or secondary task lights Make sure that your chair is at the right position to help prevent back problems in the future. Avoid using excessively wide wrist rests, or wrist rests that are higher than the space bar of your keyboard. Get a timer application to remind you when to take a break. Take the break when the timer goes off or immediately after the current task. If the task takes long than 10 mins to finish, take the 1-2 minute break. A way to stop eyestrain is the 20, 20, 20 rule. Every 20 minutes look at something 20 feet (6.1 m) away for 20 seconds. If your wrist hurts frequently while typing try the Dvorak keyboard setup. You may get stiff muscles if you are sitting in front of a computer too long. Use good work habits once you have correctly set up your computer workstation.
No matter how perfect the environment, prolonged, static postures will inhibit blood circulation and take a toll on your body.Since our launch in October 2015, Altwork’s objective continues to be to redefine how your computer and workstation work with you, to support you in being more productive, comfortable, and healthy. Our launch and Pre-Order Campaign have been extraordinary, exciting, and gratifying—in both early adopter orders placed and major international press coverage. Now, after more than five years of engineering and over $3M of founder and angel investment, we are poised to begin delivering the very first Altwork Stations in September 2016—the world’s first workstation designed for high-intensity computer users. We invite you to experience the new way to work by purchasing your Altwork Station. Discover hundreds of color and finish options, a host of cool accessories, and a dynamic and revolutionary new way to spend time at your computer. Time to create, to grow, to inspire, and to contribute.
Four Key Positions Imagine your dream workspace. You would want to sit, stand, recline into a focus position for tackling your toughest work challenges, or even work in a zero gravity position—all while maintaining ergonomic integrity and being comfortable so you can be more productive. As engineers, designers, and technologists we believe your work can flow more freely when your computer moves with you throughout your work day. Get in and get it done. Traditional desks and chairs treat you like an old typewriter. Everything in the modern workspace has evolved except for how you interface with your computer. Desks and chairs are essentially what they’ve always been, you conform to them, instead of them working with you. We’ve designed a better way. Sit down or stand up. The Altwork Station features integrated pushbutton controls that deliver seamless, smooth interaction between your body and your computer. Studies show that changing positions throughout the day is better for us. Sit, stand, collaborate, or focus/recline—your choice.
Call a meeting at your Station. Whether sitting, standing, or collaborating with your team by swinging the screen so everyone can see, presentations are a breeze. It’s more than a desk, a chair, or a cubicle. It’s unlike any other workstation. Glide in to reclined focus. The Altwork Station supports your body and your work by seamlessly conforming your keyboard, desk, mouse, and monitor to your body. This allows you to create a massive selection of working positions with your computer so you can work the right way for the right task. Our unique focus position allows high intensity computer users to eliminate the discomfort of standard tables and chairs so they can focus longer on complex tasks. It’s time to move beyond outmoded furniture and create a new way to work for digital professionals. From gentle recline to zero gravity. Altwork Station in the News Engineers. Altwork is the new way to work. Altwork is a team of experienced technology professionals, long-time friends, and family who’ve worked on everything from building the world’s fastest recumbent bicycle, to security software used by the US Government, to Burning Man art cars.
We’ve created and built successful companies, applying for and winning multiple patents in the process. Basically, we like tough challenges with a side-order of fun and family. I love my Altwork station. It has prevented many headaches, backaches, and I find it works well to minimize distractibility. It is my work vehicle. I’m enjoying my Altwork Station. They exceeded my expectations and I’m more comfortable doing my work now. We work at tables and sit on chairs just as we have for hundreds of years. not much else has. In our new digital world, sitting, standing, working and the relationship to our computers and the innovative process needs reimagining. Our bodies and minds need a new connection that allows us to work the long hours it takes to create the future. Working differently will allow us to think differently. Altwork is taking us there. After trying out the $5,900 Altwork Station, one thought immediately comes to mind: boycott work until you're issued one of these babies.