Adjusting to a new set-up…

Yesterday I was whining a little about not being able to do any of my favourite activities on my doctors orders. One of his other recommendations was to arrange for an ergonomic specialist to come in and view my workstation set-up.

So above, is my new desk set-up.  If you are following along at home for #blogjune I posted a picture of my desk a couple of weeks ago.  The changes are not that dramatic.  This is what the specialist suggested.

1. Lowering my monitor at least 5 cm.  It’s now propped up on an Oxford Dictionary.
2. Angling my monitor back a little (this allows for my eyes to relax, not be wide open which in turn allows them to keep lubricated – a real problem for me as our workroom is aggressively air-conditioned).
3. Moving my mouse to the left side of the keyboard instead of the right (this is taking some getting used to)
4. Switching the buttons on the mouse to support action 3
5. Lowering my seat so that there is a 5 cm gap between the top of my thigh and my desk (two finger width).
6. Using more keyboard short-cuts (finally learned that Alt+s sends an email).
7. He recommended getting a document holder for my desk like this one – Angle Board Microdesk Regular.
8. He also suggested taking regular breaks from keyboarding and using the generously sized window ledge by my desk for standing up reading.

I already had a footrest that is in frequent use.

At home I’m going to consider getting a little footrest (my feet dangle unless I pop them on the sub-woofer under my desk).  I may end up adjusting the mouse on my PC so that I have some continuity between work and home, though I imaging my gaming will take a little punch whilst I adjust.