What is the optimal height for your computer screen?

As the world transitions from paper and pen to computers for day-to-day work tasks, problems of poor ergonomic setups have also become more common. If you find yourself working from a computer screen often, you may be at risk of health problems such as neck and backaches, headaches and bad posture.

One of the main ways to prevent the occurrence of such health concerns is to make sure your computer screen is at the right height for your body.

So how exactly do you know when your screen is the right height?

Recognising your optimal screen height

So what is the optimum screen height for you? Simply put, the top of your screen should be eye-level.

What about the distance between you and your screen? We recommend your screen to be at arm’s length from you. If you put your fingertips on top of your computer screen and then straighten your arm, this is where you should be sitting or standing.

Furthermore, it is ideal to move around every 20 minutes so you are not fixated on one position. Some people stand up when they take phone calls and walk around. Others get up and stretch for 20 seconds. Even with the perfect ergonomic setup, it is best not to stay sitting or standing in front of your screen for too long. After all, your body is built to move.

Why is having the correct screen height important?

Computer screens are a huge part of our daily lives and we often find ourselves staring at one for one too many hours as we lose track of our work and of time. If you are always working with a screen, it is imperative that you make sure your positioning is correct to help ensure the longevity and health of your spine.

Having the correct screen height is incredibly important, now more so than any other time, as the vast majority of workers find themselves working from home without their offices’ ergonomic setup and unfortunately, many are unprepared to do so. Some workers may even be finding themselves working on their kitchen island for 40 hours a week. Add to this a general lack of exercise and social activities due to the lockdowns, you have a recipe for a sharp build in back pain, neck pain, and headaches.

Individuals who are working from home need to pay attention to their computer or laptop set up and make sure everything is positioned correctly to prevent health problems such as their posture getting worse or ache and pain aggravations. If you do find yourself stiff and sore after being in front of your computer for too long, try these exercises for quick relief.

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