Computer Products

If you are outfitting a home office, don't forget to budget for those extra computer products and accessories that make your work experience better. Perhaps the most important of these are ergonomic aids. Proper wrist position, angle of viewing and the alignment of your body can make the difference between a pleasant work experience and an extremely painful one.

Preventing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Those of us who spend long hours at our computers know the importance of wrist support. If you're using a mouse with a roller ball, choose a mouse pad with a raised and padded edge to support your wrist while mousing. The mouse itself comes in many different shapes, so try a few to find the one that fits your hand best. Be certain that your keyboard is at the right height, and that your wrists are supported while typing. If you're using a desktop system, you might benefit from a padded wrist support that runs the width of the keyboard. If you're using a laptop, you can usually rest your wrists on the trac-kpad area in front of the keyboard to type without strain.

You might also want to investigate some of the ergonomically designed keyboards. These are split and angled to more closely conform to the natural position of the hands while typing. They take a little getting used to, but many users swear by them. There are also adjustable keyboard trays if your desk is not at the proper height.

If your monitor is not in the correct position-eyes level with the text-you might want to buy an adjustable stand for your monitor. A document holder will keep your paperwork at the proper level to prevent neck strain. Visit one of the many sites online that discuss ergonomics, and you will find many more ideas for products that make your workstation more comfortable.