Is your home office zen-like?

My home office is comfortable, relaxing and set up so I can find what I need when I need it, but it’s not zen-like. I didn’t think about it (or even care about it) until I read the article, “18 Ways to Create a Relaxing Home Office Experience.”

Of the 19 tips—someone messed up on the numbers but I’ll take an extra tip any day—I already follow four of them.

#2. Find a room with a view, #10. Meditation breaks (I call them bathroom breaks), #12. Organize your belongings, and #13. Get an ergonomic office chair.

Some of the other tips are going to be more challenging: #3. Get some green. Some people are great with plants. I’m not one of them. The second #3. Fresh air. I live in Texas where it’s hot most of the time and where the mosquitoes hold year-long conventions. #17. Cut the sugar. Seriously?

I especially like #18. Get a massage on your lunch break. I’m not sure how that will improve my home office but it sounds good to me.

Working from home should be pleasurable, not painful.

• Use a desk or a computer workstation that is ergonomically correct. Look for a non-reflective work surface (if you have a glass desktop, add a desk pad to cut down on glare) and a pullout keyboard tray. An articulating keyboard tray makes it easy to adjust your keyboard to the right height.

• Use an ergonomically correct office chair that has:1) lumbar support to reduce the strain on your lower back
  2) a waterfall seat (The front edge of the seat is rounded to prevent restricted circulation and compression of nerves behind your knees.)
  3) seat height and back height adjustments
  4) tilt mechanisms and tilt lock to reduce strain and fatigue of your leg muscles
  5) tension control that adjusts to your body weight for easier reclining. (Steelcase chairs are reasonably priced and usually fit the decor of any home office.)

• Keep frequently-used equipment and supplies within reach to avoid back strain. Rather than play a game of Twister to grab what you need, store items logically and within reach.

• Minimize eyestrain and fatigue by selecting one or several lighting options. Your options include ambient or general lighting, natural lighting, fluorescent lighting, and task lighting. You can use one or a combination of these lighting sources to achieve the right amount of light.

• Reduce the risk of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome by using an ergonomic wrist rest, mouse, and adjustable and articulating keyboard. Wrist and mouse rests (Fellowes is one of my favorite brands) are made from foam-like and gel materials, and are available in interesting colors and patterns. Remember to take breaks throughout the day to give your wrist (and your entire body) a break from being in the same position for a long period of time.