In times of a global pandemic, many of us find ourselves working from home. That means sitting in one spot and staring at a computer screen all day – sounds tiring. The truth is, if you’re going to stay glued to your screens, there are some things you will need. Transitioning from in-person work and university life to online mediums is not easy. Of course, staying in front of a laptop all day is also damaging to the body, including your eyes and back. Here are some essential products you will need if you plan on staring at a screen all day.
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Dry-Erase Whiteboard
If you’re going to be at the same spot all day, the best thing you can do for yourself is to create an easy-to-handle to-do list. It is easy to misplace clipboards and pieces of paper. Smartphone reminders are great, except that means keeping your phone nearby and getting distracted by the nonstop notifications. And let’s admit it; sometimes we all miss the old-school writing on a board concept, don’t we?
The easiest way to keep track of your day and reminders is to get a dry-erase flat whiteboard. This can even be kept underneath your laptop, so you never stop looking at it. It allows you to rub off information easily and rewrite it with a market that you can keep close by. If you’re easily distracted and need everything super organized to function during the day, try color coding! You can list down each task on the whiteboard with a different colored marker and never lose track of your day.
Standing Desk
One of the worst things about staring at a computer screen all day is completely wrecking your posture. Since most people have to look down at their screens and slouch while working on their laptops all day, they complain of backaches, and over time, they start to develop what is known as a “tech neck”- the sagging of skin around the jaw and neck as a result of looking down all day, every day. That’s terrifying!
A standing desk will help solve all of these issues. Many people try to place a cushion underneath their laptops to give them some height, but this can cause the system to heat up. Instead, update to a standing desk with adjustable height placed on top of your regular work table. You can work without bending too much and get off your chair after a long day’s work without feeling like your neck is stiff.
Cleaning Brush
Your keyboard screen is bound to get dusty, and there is nothing more disgusting than touching a dirty surface each day. When staring at your screen every day, you may not even notice how clean your hands are when you touch the keyboard. You will often eat food and start working on your laptop without washing your hands or sneeze and continuing working on a tight deadline. Of course, your laptop also tends to gather dust from the surrounding environment.
All you need is an electronic cleaning tool whose bristles can eliminate dust and food crumbs without ruining the keyboard. Look for a brush with soft rubber bristles that can also eliminate residue water (or sneeze) spots on the keys. Don’t worry; we’ve all been there! There’s nothing that a good deep clean can’t solve.
Foot Hammock
The most annoying part of sitting on a workstation is having your feet hang off the chair. Let’s face it- why put all that extra strain on the feet? If you’re as annoyed with this as we are, we have a solution for you- the foot hammock!
All you need to do is look for a hammock that has hooks on the side. These can be placed easily on either side of your study table, in any position you want! Now, you no longer have to deal with your feet cramping or placing your foot uncomfortably underneath your thigh because you don’t know where else to put it.
Webcam Cover
You know those times when you have just had a work meeting, and you are ready to go back to watching your Netflix show or change back into your pajamas, but you feel paranoid about whether you’re off camera for sure?
A webcam cover helps sort out your paranoia. You can slide it open when you are ready to make a video call and slide it closed the minute you are done. That way, you do not have to switch your entire laptop or computer off to ensure that no one on the other end of the screen can see you dance to your summer playlist.
Migraine Stick
If you spend most of your time in front of a screen, you are bound to suffer from a migraine. The brightness and light exposure can cause annoying headaches that are a pain to get rid of. However, this is just another side effect of spending so much time in front of your computer.
If you’re looking for a quick fix, a migraine stick can help solve your worries. These are made from a blend of essential oils, such as lavender, peppermint, and spearmint. This stick can be used on your forehead, temples, and even at the back of your neck for a soothing sensation. We promise that this is a quick fix to those awful headaches.
Blue-Light-Blocking Glasses
You may have heard your elders scold you for spending too much time in front of a screen as blue light weakens the eyesight. We’re sorry to tell you that your elders were right. Staring at your phone or computer all day can increase strain on your eyes, mainly because blue light is highly damaging.
Blue light blocking glasses prevent the light from spoiling your eyesight while also lowering the intensity of headaches. Wear them during screen time and notice the difference yourself!
