The main reason behind the health problems of office workers is the monitoring and excessive screen time. These displays when not properly positioned can cause awkward and unpleasant postures, which can ultimately lead to a severe musculoskeletal illness (MSD). It is not only the back that is affected, but another issue due to it is eyestrain, which is extremely unpleasant and can lead to productivity difficulties.
The only way to get comfortable in front of a computer is to change the ergonomics of your workstation. And you may begin with the monitor first. But how should your computer monitor be positioned?
Your monitor’s exact position is determined by your setup and your personal body proportions, and there are a few things you can change right now to optimize your work posture.
Should you Look up or Down at your Computer Screen?
The only way to relieve eye strain due to excessive use of the screen is to make sure it is properly placed in front of you. It shouldn’t be too low or too high so that the screen isn’t properly visible. In such conditions, not only your eyes but your neck will become strained as well. Here is some placement advice you can consider if you don’t know: how should your computer monitor be positioned?
- Place the Monitor Appropriately to Reduce Glare
The glare that strikes back in your eyes causes eyestrain. As a result, you may move your head up or down causing you to view the screen in an inconvenient position.
- Keep the monitor away from Windows and Task lights.
Looking up or down on the screen primarily depends upon the placement of your screen. If bright light directly comes to your screen it can induce eyestrain and make computing more unpleasant. If you can’t modify the monitor’s angle, close the window shutters or turn off lights if there’s a strong light behind the screen.
- Center the monitor in front of you.
The monitor shouldn’t be on the left or right of your desk. Keep it in the center, properly aligned with your body so that you don’t have to toggle your eyes constantly. If you can’t change the monitor placement, position your chair so that it prevents your head and neck from turning when seeing the screen.
- Arm’s length Distance
Another way to prevent constant eye toggle is to keep the monitor at a safe distance from your eyes. It is preferred to keep the monitor at least an arm’s length away from you. Researchers say that it is the perfect distance to reduce eye strain and other related problems. That’s why you can see the full screen without turning your head or neck too much.
What level should your eyes be in relation to the screen?
The ideal eye level for your monitor’s screen is when your eye isn’t getting strained. To determine the optimum eye level, you need to keep the viewing distance in mind first. You won’t be able to see the screen correctly if you’re too far away. If you get too near, you’ll have eye strain. Finding what works best for you is critical.
That’s not the only concern when it comes to knowing: how should your computer monitor be positioned. As a result of awkward eye levels and viewing distance, you may begin to lean back or forward and extend your arms in every position instinctively. The point is that even a minor mistake in a faulty position will derail all of your ergonomic efforts.
Your eyes should be in line with the central display on the screen about 2-3 inches below the top of the monitor shell when seated comfortably. Make an angle of 90 degrees while sitting and extend your right arm horizontally. Your back must be straight and your middle finger is almost touching the center of the screen. From there, you may make minor adjustments to the screen height and angle to suit your needs.
Many experts suggest that the center of the display should be 17-18 degrees below horizontal for best viewing, this is where you will achieve the perfect eye level as well as the finger-pointing technique. Due to this angle, you will see more of the screen’s content. If the display is too low, you have to crane the neck forward; if it is too high, you need to tilt the head back which will create problems.
Another placement advice is to keep the monitor in a place where you can read the screen properly without extending your head, neck, or spine forward or backward. Till now you must know all of these positions allow you to keep your eye-strain issues minimized. Position your monitor correctly, and your head and shoulders will love you!