Checklist For Your Computer Desk

Whether your office is a "real" office, a home office or a cubicle, you need to make sure that it's a good place to be (as much as possible). After all, you will spend a good chunk of every day there and even though your work is not you life, it is part of your life. So it makes sense to make sure your office is set up nicely. This starts with your desk where your computer is located.

However, if something can be done on paper, do so. This saves eyestrain and makes you adopt a different posture, which is good for you, as well as creating a bit of variety.

* Computer: is the monitor at eye level so you don't hunch over? And is it far away enough to keep the radiation you are exposed to but close enough for you to see. Arm distance is about right. And remember that you don't have to look at everything at 100% zoom.

* The keyboard: part of your computer but worth talking about separately as bad typing habits are the worst culprit for RSI. Set your keyboard at elbow height (this is why height adjustable chairs were invented) and don't put it on the edge of the table, or you will be tempted to let your wrists sag down, which is bad news. Keep your wrists straight and level while you're typing. You can buy a special wrist rest/support to keep your wrists at the right level, but you don't have to. This writer is typing this with her wrists supported by a cheerful tartan tablecloth folded to the right height - it's called innovation and recycling.

* Your chair. Your back should be properly supported. Ideally, your feet should be flat on the floor and the seat angled very slightly downwards. However, not all of us have ideal average body proportions and if we have the chair high enough to keep the keyboard at elbow level, feet can end up in the wrong place. Footrests can help here. However, you should move around a bit while you're in that chair - fidgeting and moving around in your seat is good for you.

* Mouse space: Have you got enough to move your mouse freely while you work? Exactly how much you need does depend on the type of work you do (or the games you play, if you use your home office computer for games after hours). Some need less and some need more.

* Other desk space. Do you have room for a cup of coffee or a bottle of water where there's little or no risk of spilling things on your keyboard? Have you got room for paper, pens, diaries, etc?

* Good lighting - preferably natural lighting - is a must. If you have sunlight as your main form of lighting (lucky you!), you will need to make sure that the light doesn't fall on the screen or hit you from directly behind the screen. Putting the computer in the corner helps. So do curtains, but watch out if you share your office space with someone else.

* Ventilation. Fresh air is also a must. Open a window, if you can.

* Beauty: Make sure that your office space has things you like looking at. This can be a beautiful view, a vase of flowers (which pleases the sense of smell as well as the eyes). Don't forget the other senses. If you can listen to music (or a cheerful radio) as you work and you don't have to make millions of phone calls, this is great. Headphones can help if you have to share office space.

* Humanity: Don't let your desk space look like everyone else's. Have a few personal touches. This can range from having your own computer wallpaper rather than the standard ones that came with your computer system to sculptures and flowers. And if you have a taste for colourful pens, use them. So what if you end up signing cheques in pink sparkly ink? It's still a valid cheque!