Maintenance Monday: Office setup

Well this seems as good a time as any to stop and think about your work area. For a place where you are spending 40+ hours a week at, have you ever taken the time to make sure it's set up for you? If you're like most people, you sat down one day at your new job and started working and kept working. We rarely stop to think about our environment and what we can do to improve it. I'm not talking about motivational posters,

I'm talking about setting your work area up for a healthier you.

Take a few moments and follow these simple rules for a better work station:

• Place the monitor a minimum distance of 20-28 inches away from you.
• Place the top of the screen at a 20 degree down angle from your eyes, slightly below eye level. 
• Have a chair that supports you lumbar curve.
• Sit with your ears, shoulders and hip aligned.
• Keep your knees at a 90 degree angle and your feet flat on the floor.
• Have your elbows bent at a 90 degree angle and minimal bend in your wrists.

Try to follow the 50-10 rule: For every 50 minutes you work sitting, take a 10-minute break. During your break, walk around, stretch out your muscles, get a drink of water, whatever you want, as long as you are not sitting.

So now that you have the tools, build a better work area for you and start the new year off right! Stop by next Monday for some basic office stretches :) till then be well :)