Have Laptop Will Travel

3 Tips For Better Posture and Ergonomics When Using A Laptop

For many modern workers, a huge portion of their workday is spent using a laptop. Whether you work remotely, spend time traveling for work, or just prefer to use a laptop over a desktop, you might be one of the thousands of professionals who accomplish their work on this type of computer. And while there’s plenty of information out there for how to have good posture and create an ergonomic space for people working on computers at a desk, using a laptop often brings about even worse posture and more physical issues that people don’t know how to combat. So to help you to feel better after working for hours on end, here are three tips for better posture and ergonomics when using a laptop.

The Importance Of Keeping Your Screen At Eye Level

One of the biggest problems with working on a laptop is that the keyboard and screen are connected. This can make it very easy for you to put the keyboard at an angle that’s comfortable but leave the screen in an awkward position for your body. Rather than doing this, NHS.uk recommends that you do what you can to keep the screen at eye level. By doing this, you’ll have far less strain on your head and neck, which can help to alleviate headaches that you may have been having as a result of working on your laptop.

Use Positions That Reduce Strain

Because of the way laptops are set up, you might find that it’s hard to get in a comfortable position when using them. If you’re sitting at a desk or table, you’ll likely be sitting in a more traditional position that will help to reduce strain to your joints and muscles. But if you don’t want to be sitting at a desk or table, Nancy Messieh, a contributor to MakeUseOf.com, recommends you try lying down with your knees up and your device resting on your thighs. If you don’t want to lay down, you should at least put a pillow behind your back when sitting on a couch or bed so you can have the support your body needs to reduce strain.

Consider Using An External Mouse and Keyboard

To get the most ergonomic set up with your laptop, Stephanie Burke, a contributor to Spine-Health.com, suggests that you consider just getting an external mouse and keyboard. By having these items disconnected from your laptop, you’ll be able to set up your work area so that you’re putting reduced stress on your hands, wrists, elbows, neck and more. This will allow you to have the monitor at eye level, the keyboard set so your elbows are resting at 90 degrees, and your wrists in a more natural position for using a mouse.

If you frequently do work on a laptop, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you have better posture and a more ergonomic set up.

3 Ways To Protect Your Vacation Time From Work Worries

Taking a vacation and spending some of your time traveling around with your friends and loved ones can be a great way for you to unwind for the normal stresses of your day-to-day life. However, if you aren’t able to be completely “off the clock” while on your vacation, the benefits of taking time off work can’t completely be felt or appreciated for you. But in order for you to return home and back to work refreshed after this period away, you’ve got to find a way to keep work at work and not on your vacation with you. To help you accomplish this, here are three ways you can protect your vacation time from work worries.

Set The Right Expectations and Boundaries

Before you leave for your vacation, Jeanne Croteau, a contributor to Forbes.com, recommends that you speak to your boss and coworkers about the expectation and boundaries that you’ll have in place while you’re away. As part of this, state when you’ll be able to check messages and emails and when you’ll be unreachable. Also, explain when you should be contacted and when something can and should wait for your return. Once you have these times or dates laid out, you’ll feel much more comfortable unplugging during all other times.

Don’t Make Any Plans To Get Ahead

While there’s likely always more work that can be getting done, it’s important that for your mental, physical, and emotional health that you give yourself a break every once in a while, which is exactly what a vacation should do. And although the temptation to get some work in while you can may be in the back of your mind, Rebecca Healy, a contributor to U.S. News and World Report, recommends that you just make it your plan not to do any work while on vacation. If some type of emergency pops up and you have to deal with it, face that problem then. But the last thing you want to do is be trying to return emails while in transit, which not only takes away from your vacation but can also be very dangerous if you’re on the phone while driving and potentially causing a car accident.

Keep Your Laptop Packed Away

As was mentioned above, there might be some type of work emergency that needs to be taken care of as quickly as possible and simply can’t wait for you to return to work. Because of scenarios like this, it’s likely a good idea for you to bring your laptop on vacation with you. However, Amy Elisa Jackson, a contributor to Glassdoor.com, recommends that you keep your laptop packed away as much as you can. This will keep you from checking in on things when you should be spending your time enjoying your vacation.

If you need some help learning how to protect your vacation time from the worries of work, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you do just that.

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