Ergonomic Monitor Heights: A Complete Overview
Muscles that ache, headaches, eye strain, and discomfort are all common side effects of not having a proper computer monitor setup. However, you just have to make a few simple changes to your workspace to help alleviate these symptoms. By adjusting the monitor height and orientation of your computer screen, you'll notice a huge difference.
We can spend a lot of time selecting furnishings and the look of our office. While the design increases mood and productivity, it's pointless if you're not comfortable at your desk. Ergonomic workstations are not something you can expect at most offices. There is a lack of understanding about the relevance of ergonomics at work and at home.
Let’s talk about some easy changes to your monitor placement and height and your desktop work setup. These adjustments will improve your posture and can help relieve discomfort right away.
Say Goodbye to Awkward Posture
Let's start with the basics before getting into the intricacies of the ideal monitor screen height for your workspace.
Here are a few suggestions for making basic body adjustments to improve your posture and relieve any discomfort.
- Feet: Everything starts with a good foundation, and this is no different. You want to make sure both of your feet are resting flat on the floor. (Adjust chair height if needed.)
- Legs: The best angle is the right angle when it comes to your knees. Bending your knees any further can result in joint discomfort.
- Hips: You want your hips to be balanced, so avoid sitting with your legs crossed. When you have one leg over the other for an extended period of time, it can lead to serious hip issues.
- Back: You probably saw this one coming, but sit up straight if you don't want back pain. Get an office chair with good lumbar support and utilize it to avoid lower back issues.
- Head and Neck: You also want a straight and clear line of sight; position your monitor at eye level to avoid bending your neck.
Changing your posture takes time, work, and focus. But, once you do it, you'll be more focused, more comfortable, and you might even develop strength in your core muscle group by doing so. Anyone can make these changes, and it will become second nature over time.
It can be easy to forget about your posture once you get distracted with work and life. You can try leaving a sticky note on the five steps at the bottom of the screen. A new habit takes an average of two months before it becomes automatic. So don't give up after a few weeks. You'll be thankful you fixed your posture down the road.
Viewing Angle: Monitor Height Fixes
If your monitor isn't at the ideal height, you'll never be able to achieve good posture. You may be wondering what an ergonomic monitor height is exactly.
We have the answer:
The height of the monitor or monitors at your office dictates the tension you put on your neck. If you've ever experienced neck pain, you know this isn't something you should take lightly. Neck pain won't just impact the quality of your work but the quality of your everyday life. Neck discomfort can also lead to everything from throbbing headaches to back pain.
To keep your neck happy, you have to make sure your monitors are at the proper monitor height. You want to limit the amount of time you spend looking up or down. Keep in mind that you spend the majority of your computer time looking at the top of the screen. The top of your screen contains your open tabs, URL bars, and other things you use often.
When your monitor is at the right height, your eyes will be two to three inches below the top of your monitor when you're working. This monitor positioning eliminates the need to angle your head to see the majority of your monitor. It also allows you to read the entire screen by only having to move your eyes.
Tilt No More
By avoiding tilting your head and neck, you'll be making a significant impact. When you tilt your head even 15 degrees, it adds almost 30 pounds of pressure to your spine. However, when your monitor is at the right height, you won't have to tilt your head at all.
You can slightly adjust most monitors so that they are angled up or down. If the single monitor is a little too high, make sure it's tilted down as much as possible. When using a dual monitor setup, you want your main screen to be right in front of your keyboard. With this positioning, you won't have to move your head as much to gaze at your work.
These adjustments may seem minor but can make a significant impact. If your monitor isn't currently the right height, you can get monitor risers or an arm to fix that problem.
Monitor Mount: Ergonomic Monitor Stand
If you're on the lookout now for a new ergonomic monitor, we have a suggestion. A tablet can make for an excellent monitor or second monitor for your setup. The beauty of having a tablet for a monitor is its touch-screen, light, and you can move it around with ease.
SkyFloat has the perfect solution to achieving the correct monitor height for your tablet. It is the world's first adjustable magnetic ceiling mount explicitly built for a tablet. The mount uses neodymium rare-earth magnets and a telescoping arm. Skyfloat's unique design allows you to attach securely to the ceiling easily.
You secure a metal plate to your ceiling and then just attach the strong magnetic telescopic arm. The best part is that the arm can extend as short as 1 1/2 feet when it's fully contracted and as long as 7 1/2 feet when fully extended from the ceiling. The ability to adjust it makes it perfect for any desk height.
You can find the exact height you need whether you're sitting or standing at your desk. You'll never have to strain your neck by looking up or down. Plus, it's a second monitor that doesn't take up any desk space!
Viewing Distance Between Your Chair and Monitor
One more thing you want to consider is the distance between your chair and the monitor. This distance can be overlooked but can lead to chronic pain. If you're sitting too close or too far from the monitor, you may be straining your eyes. This eye strain can cause headaches, neck pain, and nearsightedness.
You want to be at an arm's length distance from the monitor. However, if you have a large screen that's bigger than 20 inches, you may want to sit a little further away. You should move the monitor a foot away for every additional seven inches of screen size.
The exact distance of a monitor is going to depend on the user. You should not have to lean in, squint, or lean back to view your entire monitor. You may have to try a few different monitor depths before you find one that's just right.
Comfort on the Horizon: The Perfect Height
By implementing a few changes, you can prevent pain from poor posture. SkyFloat makes achieving the perfect monitor height simple. You'll never have trouble adjusting your monitor to the correct height or distance. You can use this innovative option at work or home, so you have an ergonomic monitor height no matter where you are.
Sources
Why Is Lumbar Support Important? | Harbour Health Center
Text neck’ is becoming an ‘epidemic’ and could wreck your spine | Washington Post
How Long Does It Actually Take to Form A New Habit? | Healthline
