The "Write" Environment
As a writer, your first duty is to maintain your health so that you can continue to spread your views for many long years. To this end, it's important to ensure that you use the right kind of writing tools and office furniture so as not to risk common writing-induced conditions like muscle strain, arthritis, and carpal tunnel syndrome.
Start by taking a good look at your desk and chair. By investing in costlier office furniture you may save money on future medical expenses and preserve your writing career for a longer amount of time. The most ergonomic desk will not only be strong but will also have a low-slung keyboard tray.
The writer's chair should be adjustable for height and allow the writer's feet to rest on the floor as he sits. A chair with a smaller seat is a better fit for the writer and he should make sure that a couple of inches lay between the end of the chair and the writer's inner knees. Check as well, that the height of the chair back, at a minimum, comes up to the writer's shoulder blades.
Lasting Impact
The placement of the writer's computer monitor and his keyboard and mouse can also have an important and lasting impact on his health. A common mistake is to place the monitor so that the user must look in an upward direction to see the screen. For the writer, it is much better to position the monitor so that the writer must look in a downward direction while viewing his screen. This protects the writer's neck muscles. Position the monitor so as to prevent glare from office lights and windows.
Keyboard Placement
Of course, any discussion of office ergonomics must include keyboard placement. Most keyboards come equipped with little legs so as to prop up the back of the keyboard to make it higher than the front end. This causes the wrist to bend which over time, carries the risk for muscle strain in this area. Writers should also watch their wrists as they use the mouse. It's important to keep your hand level with your arm as you move the cursor about the screen. Some mouse pads are equipped with a raised and cushioned bottom to encourage the hand toward this ergonomic position.
In the ideal workstation environment, the monitor, keyboard, and mouse are aligned so that the writer is never forced to twist his neck or back into strange contortions as he uses his computer. An office worker should be able to type, view the monitor, and make use of the mouse without any need for compromising his position and posture.