...ways to be more comfortable at your desk. Follow Rich Heap’s pointers and you’ll soon be sitting pretty

1. Straighten that back

“About four out of five people will get lower back pain at some point in their life,” says Rishi Singh Loatey, registered chiropractor and member of the British Chiropractors Association. But despite warnings about repetitive strain injury, many people are still unaware of the correct computing posture. Key tips include keeping your back upright, your feet on the floor and your computer just below eye level.

2. Move your phone

It sounds simple, but moving your phone will help you remain comfortable if you have to talk and make notes at the same time. Just reposition it so that you can hold the receiver with your weaker hand and take down information with your natural writing hand.

3. Get polarising lenses

Computer vision syndrome is a condition brought on by spending too much time staring at your monitor and leads to eyes feeling tired, dry and irritable. It can be relieved by wearing glasses with polarising lenses, which help to reduce the glare and UV light that reaches the eyes. Other solutions include turning down your monitor’s brightness or asking your IT department for a higher resolution screen.

4. Try to relax

There are subtle stretches to help beat aches, pains and stress that you can do without leaving your chair. “Taking time to breathe deeply, stretch and relax during the day can create a calmer mind as well as a refreshed body,” says yoga teacher Ellen Serber. Classes are available, and basic exercises can be found on the internet – such as www.stress.org.uk’s “alternate nostril breathing”, which involves pinching alternative nostrils while breathing to relax the shoulder area.

5. Refresh dry air with plants

“Having plants in an office will raise the amount of water in the air, counteracting the drying effects of air-conditioning systems,” says Kate Kenyon, communications manager of the Flowers & Plants Association. Even NASA uses spider plants on space shuttles because they are highly effective at battling chemicals like formaldehyde, found in household cleaner, which irritates the ears, nose and throat.

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