For a growing number of us, computers are playing an increasingly important role in our lives. Many people throughout Australia and in other countries spend hours and hours every day on computers. 

There are lots of leisure activities we use computers for. For example, people enjoy gambling at casinos offering an Australian casino no deposit bonus or playing top-quality PC games with others over the internet. There are also lots of work-related things that computers are used for, whether it’s managing websites, uploading data, writing content or communicating with clients. 

We rely on computers for so many things, but using them for hours on end every day isn’t without its consequences. Overuse of computers can cause a range of problems to do with vision and physiology.

This article looks at how to avoid the long-term complications of using computers too much by making simple adjustments. It focuses on monitor height, which has a knock-on effect on your sitting and posture.

Determining the Correct Monitor Height for You

We’ll start by saying that there's no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to monitor height. The correct monitor height depends on several key factors discussed below. It boils down to making sure that when you use your computer, it’s not having a negative effect on your body in any way.

With a suitable monitor height, you shouldn’t have any short-term problems with computer use, nor should it produce any complications further down the line.

Distance From Your Eyes

One of the most important factors to consider is the distance between the computer screen and your eyes. You don’t want the screen to be too close to your eyes because you’d be staring at nothing but the screen, which won’t do your eyes any good.

Likewise, it shouldn’t be too far away because this will make things less visible; you’ll end up leaning forward and squinting to be able to see something.

As for the optimal distance between your eyes and the computer screen, there’s no definitive answer, but some people recommend the length of your outstretched arm. Lift an arm, so it’s parallel to the floor and stretch it out. Where your fingertips end is where the computer screen should be.

The Best Eye Level

Ideally, your eye level should be roughly the middle of your monitor. When using a computer, you should avoid looking up and down too much. Lowering your head when using a computerand craning your neck can cause neck-related problems, especially if you do them regularly over a long period.

Yes, your eyes will be looking up and down at things on the screen. As long as they’re looking at the center of the screen when you’re sitting down, they won’t have to look too far away to see everything else on the screen.

The Best Position for Your Computer Screen

When you sit at a desk, your computer should ideally be directly in front of you. It shouldn’t be at an angle or off to the side. When sitting, you should be facing it head-on.

If your computer’s at an angle, this will cause you to turn your body and sit rather awkwardly so you can see it properly. It’s always best to sit straight, so do the simplest thing and position your computer so it’s right in front of you.

Avoiding Glare

Wherever you use your computer, glare can be an issue. If there’s too much of it, reading what’s on the screen can be a lot more difficult; it can also cause eye strain if you’re not careful.

To avoid glare, it’s best to position your computer so that it’s not directly in front of or behind any natural light. When using your computer, you should be at a ninety-degree angle to the light.

If glare is unavoidable, try your best not to let it affect your computer work. Consider purchasing some anti-glare glasses and see if your computer’s lighting can be adjusted.

Tips for Doing Lots of Computer Work

Let’s say you’ve set up your computer, taking monitor ergonomics into account. You’ve used the tips above and have adjusted things so that when you’re on your computer, you don’t feel any discomfort, nor do you have to struggle in any way.

Even if you have the most ergonomic monitor height and your computer is positioned perfectly, there are still things you can do to reduce the effects of excess computer use.

If you’re going to be on a computer for several hours, it’s worth breaking up your session, if possible. Have regular breaks where you get up and walk around, even if it’s just for a few minutes.

Do some quick and easy exercises at your desk to get the blood circulating and allow your muscles to work. Every so often, look away from the screen and spend a few minutthe es looking at anything nearby that isn’t a screen of some kind. Also, give your hands and wrists a break every now and then; this is particularly useful if you’re doing lots of typing.

Summary

Follow the tips above to make your monitor a suitable height off the desktop and a comfortable distance from you. Make computer work less taxing on your body and reduce things such as eye strain and neck problems.

After all, there’s no need to be uncomfortable when you’re doing work, especially if you’re doing a lot of it. Be prepared to make lots of adjustments to your computer screen position so that you’ll find the best one for you.

Remember that once you’ve got the best monitor setup, you should still think about how you spend your time at your computer. Have regular breaks and keep your body active by doing simple exercises. It’s not a good idea to sit in the same position all day.