At the computer:  Your keyboard should be positioned so that your forearms are parallel with the floor. The arms support the hands at the keyboard; do not rest your wrists on the table while typing. Your monitor should be positioned at eye level or slightly lower.

About chairs:  When sitting at a computer, eating, writing, or doing any activity using your arms in front of you, be sure to let your back rest against the back of the chair. Ideally, your chair should angle back no more than 5 degrees from the vertical. Most chairs angle back much more and a pillow behind your back can correct the problem. When a pillow is not available, a folded coat or jacket draped over the back of the chair will do in a pinch.

If your feet don’t touch:  If you find that you cannot comfortably rest your feet flat on the floor, then your chair is probably too big for you and a footrest will help. This is especially important for young children. Another solution is to place a pillow behind you moving you closer to the front of the chair.  You can also try placing thin paperback books under the back legs of the chair to tilt it forward.

Reading:  The closer the book is to your head, the less you will have to hang your head to see it. Therefore, a few pillows in your lap with the book resting on top will help. If pillows are not available, a coat or briefcase can do the job.

Handbags and knapsacks:  When carrying a handbag, frequently switch shoulders. Also, shorten the straps so that the bag is as close as possible to your center of gravity. Likewise, knapsacks should rest on the upper back for women, slightly lower for men, but not low on the hips where they cause the back to arch.