Whilst working away on their latest project, freelancers tend to forget about the simple little things that make all the difference to their experience whilst working. There are a few things you can do here and there to help you along your way, and help boost productivity and improve your health whilst freelancing.
1. Distance from monitor
This is crucial to the well-being of your eyes, as people who tend to sit too close to monitors discover they need glasses. Don’t make this mistake. Make sure you’re sitting at a comfortable distance from your monitor, so you can sit and stare at your monitor for prolonged periods of time without irritation.
2. Posture
Posture whilst sitting at your computer desk is extremely important to configuration of your spine. The best kind of seat to have is one that has both a backrest and armrests. It should help keep your back straight whilst sitting at your desk. Quick tip, try not to slouch when you’re working, as keeping your back in a slouched position for prolonged periods of time can cause pain and injury. The older you are, the more you need to keep this in mind.
3. Distance from keyboard
Your arms should be at a comfortable distance from your keyboard, as you’re not overstretching or clumped up to it. Also, try and use the armrests on your chair whilst typing to prevent your elbows from becoming tired.
4. Position of monitor
The monitor you’re using should be at eye-level when sitting upright with your back straight. If you’re monitor is slightly higher than eye-level, it forces your neck to bend slightly up to accommodate this, which can cause neck pains if done for prolonged periods of time.
5. Lighting
The lighting within the room you’re in should match that of your monitor. This is to prevent the light from your monitor damaging your eyes due to high contrast between it and the light in your surroundings. It strains your eyes much less to work in a bright room, rather than a dark room where your monitor is the only source of light.
6. Don’t eat at your desk
Sounds like common sense, but you’d be surprised at just how many people eat and drink at their desks. Not only is this a hazard to the equipment around you (as I’m sure most of you have experienced when drink spills onto your keyboard) but by not eating at your desk you force yourself to get up and take breaks away from the computer. Too many freelancers spend way too long on the computer, when they should be having good, periodic breaks. By not allowing yourself to snack whilst working at your desk, you also prevent your workspace from getting dirtier.
7. Work away from distractions
Whilst working in the comfort of your own home is one of the luxuries of freelancing, it can also backfire to some extent. If you have a family with kids, you’re not a foreigner to constant screaming and shouting – so in order for you not to be affected by the noise, have your office away from childrens’ rooms and as far away from the main living room as possible.
8. Diet
One very effective tip is to NOT eat extremely sugary foods or consume sugary carbonated drinks during your work hours. Sugar, although a good source of energy, only provides your body with a very temporary boost of energy – which is usually followed by a low. If you want to stay productive throughout your working day, stay away from these fiends. Once your work day is over, cola is your friend.
So there we have it, follow these simple tips and you’ll become a more productive and healthier freelancer in no time!
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August 21st, 2009 at 8:42 am
Reading this article i realized that there are many things that i should be aware while sitting in front of my computer. There is one thing I find it difficult to archive: to stop eating in front of my computer.
August 21st, 2009 at 2:35 pm
When talking at productivity, it’s so true that we have to be comfortable, and free of distractions. A lot of business-owners I consult with on organizing and productivity, tend to work long hours at their desk. I often explain that standing up walking around, stepping outside or even doing a few push ups is a great way to wake up the mind and keep them productive.
August 21st, 2009 at 4:44 pm
Cola is never your friend.
August 21st, 2009 at 5:03 pm
Good tips, I used to be on the computer at night before a friend told me it’s not good for my eyes. Now I understand WHY it’s not so good.
All of the tips have their uses and of course people should break from the monitor, several times a day. Good article.
August 21st, 2009 at 7:57 pm
What a terrific article on things that all of us who work from home should keep in mind. I have what I call “grasshopper and ant mentality.” I am the ant and I can’t stop to play until I have all my work done. Thank you for the reminder that I do need “play” breaks for good physical and mental health.
August 21st, 2009 at 8:16 pm
Thanks for all the positive feedback everyone.
August 21st, 2009 at 10:57 pm
The hardest one I had to deal with awhile ago was the eating at the desk. It just seems so much easier, but once I stopped it was as if productivity went up I was able to clear my mind and come up with bigger and better ideas.
August 21st, 2009 at 11:05 pm
weell, i can say few tips are really interesting few common but still nice..
August 29th, 2009 at 10:15 am
Thanks for great tips! Today i will start to follow them! =)
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