STACK #200 Jun 2021

FEATURE LIFE TECH

ERGONOMIC AIDS Over the last 15 months, we’ve seen all kinds of imaginative home office solutions, ranging from the use of garden furniture right through to dodgy DIY designs pulled together with building scraps from the garage. However, you don’t have to spend a fortune in order to create a fully functional workspace at home using ergonomic aids designed specifically for the job at hand. We’ve pulled together a handful of examples that will help keep both your body and mind in good working order.

BLUE LIGHT If you regularly use a smartphone, tablet, laptop or a modern TV, you’re being exposed to blue light. Blue light is a short wavelength and thus produces a significant amount of energy that can in turn cause headaches, digital eyestrain, dry eyes and fatigue. Some research even suggests blue light can lead to retinal damage. In small doses, exposure to blue light actually helps with alertness and can increase energy levels. Conversely, if you’re sat with your head in a screen for eight hours-plus a day, then some precautions should be implemented to avoid any of the aforementioned health issues. Taking regular breaks from the screen is a great place to start, and look at investing in a pair of blue light glasses; these are designed to filter out any potentially damaging blue light. Top: Frankie Ray Kids Digital Blue Light Blocking Glasses (Mint) Bottom: XCD Blue Light Blocking Glasses (Black)

Kensington ErgoSoft Mousepad

Keeping your wrist well-supported while using a mouse and keyboard over prolonged periods is essential, and that’s where gel wrist rests come into play. When used correctly, these rests cushion the wrist, keeping them in a neutral position and reducing the strain. The ErgoSoft Mousepad combines both a high-performance mousepad for optimal tracking and a gel wrist rest in one concise unit that Kensington ErgoSoft Wrist Rest for Standard Keyboard Although wrapped in a durable material to aid in frequent usage, this easy to clean keyboard wrist rest is exceptionally soft for those marathon sessions. It has a non-skid backing to keep it in situ, and it is designed for keyboards with a front height of 10-20mm. keeps your wrist in good shape and the office tidy.

Eureka Ergonomic Height Adjustable Stand Up Desk Converter

If you’re keen to trial a stand up desk but don’t want to go full on into the change, this stand up desk converter could offer a flexible option worth exploring. At 36” wide, there’s plenty of room for a large monitor, and even your gaming kit. The desk will lift up to a height of 20” using an easy gas strut system for hassle free adjustment, and it even has blue LED lights for ambient lighting.

Kensington Easy Riser G0 15-17” Laptop Stand This one has it all. Designed to fold out when in use, but pack flat when not, the stand will lift a laptop screen of up to 17” to a comfortable height for working. The slots in the back of the stand assist in

Kensington SmartFit One Touch Height Adjustable Dual Monitor Arm For many office workers, the use of dual monitors is as essential as using a keyboard, and research has shown an increase in focus and productivity. This adjustable dual monitor arm will fit flat or curved monitors up to 9kg in weight and from 13” to 34”. There’s built-in gas springs that will enable users to adjust the height with a single touch.

Kensington SmartFit Stand A very simple yet effective solution for placing your monitor at the right height for your

eyes. With multiple settings to raise up to 150mm, it will cater for monitors up to 21” and has a weight limit of 18kgs.

keeping heat build-up well circulated.

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