Ergonomics is relative. People come in different shapes and sizes, and what works for one person may not work for another. Although you realize that proper equipment is important in minimizing your risk for injury, you might not be ready to purchase all the components for an ideal workstation. The most important rule is that you feel comfortable in your environment!

The following tips will help improve your current workstation, as well as workstations that are not your own (such as at work or school).

First, prioritize your workstation needs.

• Is your computer used primarily for word processing?
  If so, Make sure that you have a good keyboard setup.
• Are you mostly a web surfer?
  If so, make sure that you have a good mouse/pointing device configuration.

Next, prioritize your physical needs.

• Adjust your workstation to best meet your specific needs and to minimize the amount of strain necessary to perform your most common tasks. For example, if your right wrist tends to throb after 2 hours of inputting data into a spreadsheet, then try to obtain the best keyboard setup as soon as possible. If you are a graphic artist and spend most of your time working with a tablet, adjust work workstation so that you are most comfortable when performing that task.

Make your keyboard a priority.

• If you use a desktop keyboard or one that is placed on a conventional, articulating tray, position the keyboard/tray either flat or at a downward slope (i.e. so that the row of keys beginning with the letters "QWERTY" is lower than the row of keys beginning with the letters "ZXCVBN." Never use the "legs" that many keyboards have attached to the upper part of their bottom surface. Doing so would place the keyboard at a positive slope, which should be avoided. Center your keyboard so that the space bar is roughly the same height as your elbows, with the "B" key lined up with your belly button.

Consider a wrist rest.

• In the case of a desktop keyboard, you can also use a broad, flat wrist rest as a forearm support. The wrist rest should be approximately the same thickness as the bottom of your keyboard. Place the wrist rest midway between your wrists and elbow, but make sure that you are not compressing the area. Wrist rests should generally not be used as actual resting places for your wrists while typing. This is because wrist rests, especially the very soft, cushioned kind, actually contour to the wrists and encourage wrist twisting movements. Wrist rests are best used as a place to rest your wrists between periods of typing.

Keep your mouse close.

• If you don't have a mouse tray, at least make sure that the mouse is close to the side of your body, so that that your upper arm can remain relaxed and your posture can remain as neutral as possible.

Accommodate different sized-people.

• Feet. If you have a fixed height workstation, and cannot purchase an adjustable keyboard tray, you can raise your chair and purchase a footstool.
  
  You can also use a footrest (or a makeshift footrest, such as a pile of books or a box) for a child or a person of small stature. Just make sure that the feet are supported and the area behind the knees is not compressed.
  
• Back. Back pillows, which come in a variety of shapes and sizes (circular, half circles, straight supports, wings) can be used to provide back support in a fixed chair. (If you cannot purchase a cushion, you can use a rolled towel.)
  
  When purchasing a back cushion, consider the following:
  
  • Will multiple people be using it?
  • Does it need to be adjustable up and down?
  • If it's a contoured cushion, is there anyone too wide to use it?
  • Will it stay securely positioned where I first place it?
    
• Arms. Purchase an adjustable keyboard tray to lower the keyboard on an otherwise fixed-height desk.