Now that many of us have been working from home for nearly a year, it’s becoming common for people to start considering their home office their new permanent workplace. When that happens, it’s time to start making adjustments to your office so it can be as comfortable and productivity-inducing as possible.
One of the most overlooked items in a home office is the lighting. If you work from a computer all day, it may seem like the computer brightness is the only light you need to be concerned about. But that’s not so. Having the wrong lighting setup in your new office, whether it be a bedroom, kitchen table or a separate home office space, can cause problems such as eye strain, irritation and headaches.
There are many things to consider when thinking about the lighting in your new home office; here are just a few tips from the experts at ErgonomicsDoc.
Tips for Lighting a Home Office
Because everyone’s work setup is different, there may be things on this list that are unavoidable or that you have no control over. Just make sure to do your best to take frequent breaks from the computer to let your eyes rest.
- As a general rule, the light source in your home office should be directed so that it does not shine into your eyes when looking at the computer display screen, as this causes significant eyestrain, and can lead to irritation of your eyes. This means it is best not to set up your desk right in front of a window if at all possible.
- Ensure that you have adequate lighting, but not too bright. When working with a computer screen, you need to be able to clearly see the keyboard and the papers you are working with, but it should not be too bright.
- Task (desk) lights with a downward beam are a great option because the light does not shine directly into the user’s eye.
- Make sure that your desk is not aimed directly into the sun for the majority of the work day: Blinds help some but this setup is not ideal.
- Use vertical blinds if the building is facing east or west.
- Use horizontal blinds if the building is facing north or south.
- If you do have lights in the ceiling, try to center your desk so they are not directly overhead, as this causes a hot spot of glare on the computer screen, which can increase the strain on your eyes.
Consult an Atlanta Certified Ergonomic Specialist
If you’re struggling with eye strain and none of the above troubleshooting is working, it may be time to schedule an Atlanta ergonomic evaluation. At ErgonomicsDoc, we specialize in ergonomic consultations and can make recommended adjustments to get your workspace to a place where it is not causing you injury or discomfort. Along with assessing the ergonomics of the lighting in your home office, we also take into account your computer, mouse and keyboard setup as well as the height of your desk and chair. All of these factors can influence how productive your workday is and how you feel at the end of the day. Reducing pain and stress is our bread and butter, so don’t delay. Call ErgonomicsDoc today! (404) 430-2912