Write Now Editing

  • Home
  • About Me
  • Editing Services
  • Testimonials
  • Resources
  • Blog
  • Copywriting
  • Contact Me

6 Tips for a More Comfortable Home Office

January 25, 2016 by Karin Beery Leave a Comment

 

7K0A9914When I started working at home, I hit the yard sales for inexpensive furniture. Not a bad idea, but when you spend 8+ hours at a desk, you need to be comfortable. It didn’t take long before my back and shoulders started to hurt. Then I started dreading going to work. Then I stopped writing as often as I should – I could always find a dozen other things to do instead of sitting at an uncomfortable desk.

The spiral continued until I finally started investing in my furniture (and myself). It doesn’t have to cost a lot to make your office more comfortable, and therefore more functional. A few inexpensive tweaks to your desk and chair can make a big difference.

Your Desk

  • Elevate. It’s easier on your neck and back when you’re looking straight ahead instead of down. Don’t put your monitor or laptop on your desk – buy a riser/shelf and keep your screen at your natural eye level (Bonus: this will give you extra storage space on your desk, as you can put your stapler, tape, and tissues under your screen). I purchased shelves at the office supply store for less than $20.
  • Externalize. When I bought my first laptop I loved to convenience of carrying everything with me and working anywhere I wanted. Now I can’t type on my laptop for longer than a day or two without the tendinitis in my wrists flaring up. Solution – external keyboard. Better solution – ergonomic external keyboard. (If you have a laptop and decide to elevate your screen, this is a must-have.) If your budget is tight, buy a corded keyboard for less than $20.
  • Multiply. Invest in a second monitor. I don’t know how I ever functioned with only one. Side-by-side screens let me compare pre- and post-edited documents; I can research without closing my work-in-progress; I can watch reruns while scheduling my social media without having to minimize either screen (that last one may not apply to everyone). Don’t forget – if you elevated your main monitor, you’ll need to elevate this one as well. I bought my second monitor during back-to-school sales; that’s a great time to save money on your office!

Your Chair

  • Adjust it. When you put your hands on your keyboard, your elbows should create a ninety degree angle. Too much more or less than that can cause strain on your arms, so don’t be afraid to raise/lower your chair.
  • Support it. Someone gave me a free office chair – the perfect price for a new business owner! The problem: it’s not very comfortable. The solution: a lumbar support pad ($15-20) and a seat cushion ($30-40). Now I can sit and focus without the discomfort.
  • Give yourself a lift. After you adjust your chair, you may notice that your feet dangle. Even if you can touch the floor with a flat foot, you may be stretching, which can cause pressure points. I didn’t believe it at first, but then I tried a foot rest – amazing! You may need to experiment with a few different heights, but start with 4-6 inches and see if you can feel the difference. You can buy an office chair foot rest, or make one for yourself (we used some scrap wood and a few nails).

Working from home comes with enough distractions as it is – don’t let your office space deter you from doing your work. Make yourself comfortable, then get back to work!

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: freelance work, home office

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

10 Times You Should Be Sending a Press Release

Download this 2-page, easy-to-read PDF that will show you how often you can get your name out there - don't miss another opportunity to promote yourself!

Enter your email address to sign up and receive your FREE copy today!

ABOUT ME

Editor. Teacher. Novelist.
A passionate lover of fiction, Karin doesn't just write novels, she helps others write their best stories! A certified substantive editor with the Christian Editor Connection, her goal is to help authors to put her out of business by equipping them with the tools they need to become better writers.

Contact Me

Connect

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter

Copywriting

Karin understood my advertising and marketing writing needs and accomplished the project in record time. She asked all the right questions up front to equip herself with enough … [more]

Editing

Substantive Fiction Editing: A substantive edit looks at the big picture. Start here to tackle the big issues before moving on to the nit-picky details. Substantive edits not only point out … [more]

Author Page

Lover of all things fiction, I also love University of Michigan football, the Detroit Lions, Tigers, and Red Wings, kayaking, gluten-free cupcakes, and my husband.

Resources

Press Release Tool Kit Stop waiting and hoping for people to notice you and your organization! With this Press Release Tool Kit, you’ll learn to apply the step-by-step process I use to … [more]

© Copyright 2015 Write Now Editing · All Rights Reserved · Design by Pink Haired Pixels/Carol Jones Media

· All Logos & Trademark Belongs To Their Respective Owners·