Do your eyes feel irritated or tired at the end of each workday? If so, your monitor placement may be the culprit.

The distance between your eyes and the computer screen should be always between 24 and 36 inches. Also, the tilt angle of the screen should be 15 degrees, either up or down. Following these guidelines will eliminate most of the glare from your monitor.

Do you ever feel pain or discomfort in your back while working at your computer? If so, you might need to adjust your backrest or posture. Your back and shoulders need to be relaxed and in a natural position and you should sit with your back firmly against the back of the chair.

Do you feel tingling, numbness or pain in your forearms, wrists or hands? If so, your chair height or keyboard/mouse may need adjusting. Also, check your sitting posture and wrist position. Elbows need to rest comfortably on arm rests, yet closely to the sides of the body, in a 90º angle. Wrists need to extend straight out from the forearms. Fingers should be curved upward slightly, where the keying motion is gentle and comfortable.

Are your legs often stiff and cramped or do you have swelling and numbness in your ankles and feet? If so, your chair height might need adjusting or you may need a footrest. Knees need to be at a 90º degree angle with the feet securely on the floor or a footrest. Avoid crossing your legs at your desk since it inhibits blood circulation.

1. Alan Hedge, Ergonomic Guidelines for Arranging a Computer Workstation.