Choosing and setting up your desk

How you choose and set up your desk depends mostly on personal preference, but we often don't realize that some details can make a real difference to comfort - and so to productivity. A few things have a big positive effect on concentration, the quality of your work and learning to type fast.

When choosing a desk, pay attention to the following:

• The desk should be big enough to place the monitor at the right distance from your eyes - about 60 cm (24 in) or more.
• A keyboard placed slightly lower than a standard desktop helps you keep a good posture while you work, so it's worth looking at computer desks with two levels.
• If your desk has a pull-out keyboard tray, use a chair with armrests - otherwise your arms hang in the air and tire quickly.
• A desk with a raised monitor shelf can suit a tall person, but remember that a monitor set too high strains your neck and eyes.
• Computer desks that hold the monitor at an angle, on an extra surface below the main desktop, give you comfortable working conditions.

If you already have a desk, check where it stands. Can someone come up behind you? Psychological research shows that people have a subconscious need to keep an eye on their surroundings. If you don't sit facing the room or side-on to it, part of your attention goes to keeping track of what's happening out of sight. It also helps to have the door in your field of view. This gives you a sense of control and cuts down on the things that weaken your concentration and typing speed.

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