This week we welcome HBG Senior Consultant Viola Henning to the blog to talk about how to make your computer-centered day much better. Have a look at her tips and see if they help inspire you to find new or better ways of staying healthy at your desk. ~Helen
Viola Henning
I’ll admit up front that this article is not directly related to Prospect Strategy and Fundraising Intelligence, but we all spend a lot of time on the computer, right? Here are my favorite tips for making that a better experience:
Improve your posture
- You’ve probably heard of ergonomics, but it’s not enough to just have that ergonomic chair, you have to actually sit back in it correctly.
- Scroll down so the thing you’re reading is at the top of the screen to keep yourself looking straight ahead instead of down.
Get on up
I suspect I don’t need to tell you about the negative effects of being too sedentary. Here are some of my favorite tips to sneak in a little more time standing up/moving:
- Use a standing desk or stand/walk for meetings/calls.
- Eat lunch outside (for the added benefits of being in nature) or standing in front of a window.
- Keep things you use often close but not too close (e.g., I have a box of tissues nearby but not actually on my desk, so I have to stand up to get one).
- Occasionally do some stretches/chair yoga.
Go easy on the eyes
- Many browsers, search engines, email/chat programs, etc. now have Dark Mode – check your settings.
- Close your eyes while drinking water (As a reminder to stay hydrated, I actually make it a point to take a sip of water when I hit Submit on a search, and while I’m drinking the water, I close my eyes to give them a rest).
Make it a nice sensory experience
- Listen to isochronic tones/music: Whether you need to wake up, relieve stress, focus, relax, or play something more upbeat, you can make your workspace sound like a day at the spa.
- Surround yourself with visuals that make you feel good (colors/design elements that inspire, light, plants, photos of family/friends, etc. – one of my favorite things on my desk is a mug with a photo of all my fellow HBGers together for a conference).
- Keep a healthy non-messy snack nearby (unsalted mixed nuts are my go-to).
- Use an essential oil diffuser pen or otherwise diffuse essential oils: They smell great and there are so many individual oils and blends you can choose from (e.g., energize with rosemary, peppermint & grapefruit or chill out with bergamot, orange & lemon).
- Keep a nice, soft shawl or scarf by your computer in case you need to put it on to warm up or upgrade your outfit for a meeting.
Last but not least: Take breaks, even just one minute to breathe with the shape.
