More than just a desk and a chair

Most individuals give little to no thought about the feng shui in the workplace. As developers, we spend approximately a third or more of our day at the same desk, looking at the same screens, being in the same relative posture. Most of us set up our workstation once and never think twice. However, the space in which we work shapes our health, our focus and the quality of our life. Investing in a proper workstation is not just investing in furniture. It is an investment in ourselves and once established, an investment in what should be considered as a work of art.

A few points to consider

1. Space & Layout: Find a place and determine the layout

Long hours of coding are hard on the body and fatiguing on the mind, and a poor setup turns your back, neck, shoulder, arm, and hip pain into frustration and temperamental behavior.

• Room: Before any furniture or hardware is selected, determine and assess the area you have in possession. Optimize the said area so the workflow is smooth and not incumbered, meaning your chair is not blocking a drawer you frequently open and close, or the work area encompasses other equipments, beyond that of the keyboard and mouse. Lastly, try weighing the option of moving this optimized area to another location and question if that would be more beneficial.
• Desk & Chair: There are plenty of articles, videos and podcasts on the internet, but the main takeaway is to be comfortable being in a place for long hours and moreover, being able to walk away with no pain or issues. This also applies to your sleeping area.
• Keyboard and mouse: Everyone is different. So begin with the basic setup and work your way to full customization. Choose an entirely different equipment if needed, such as vertical mouse, split keyboard, or foot pedals. Use a TV and sit/stand far away! Conversely, use the non-dominant hand for the mouse. Determine which setup fits with your needs and trying a few variations in order to disregard the ones that were not suitable furnishes no harm.
• Monitor: Again, many articles, images, and measurements are available on the internet, but the further away the screen from your eyes, the better. This means the screen becomes larger and having higher PPI (pixels per inch) helps. This usually means increase in price. Take your time, do the extensive research, and at worst, go through trial and error.

2. Focus: A space that works with your mind

Programming needs long stretches of deep concentration and a distraction free environment.

• Keep it clear: Keep on your desk only the things you need for the current job or place them out of the way but within reach. Usually, a cluttered desk becomes a cluttered mind.
• Control the noise: Good headphones or quiet hours help protect the flow.
• Dedicated space and time: Create an environment that supports your workflow. Whether that be sitting at a cafe or an office, make sure the area enables your thoughts to be free flowing and unincumbered.
• Light it well: Natural light is best. No glare on the screen. Conversely, using only the monitor's illuminance with protective eyewear, such as computer glasses, can also be an option. Either way, make sure the illumination is at the setting which prevents eye strain and creates a motivational atmosphere.

Proper intake of nutrition is also a key factor for longevity in vision, but we can visit this at a future blog.

The quality of air also matters and we covered this in our other post, titled, "Purified air in a work environment".

4. Keep it healthy and make it yours over time

No two workstations should look the same, because no two people work the same way. Therefore, a good setup is not a one time job.

• Take breaks: Stand up, stretch and walk around at least once an hour.
• Tidy up: Clean and declutter the desk on a frequent basis.
• Adjust: As your work and your body change, let your workstation change with them and allow yourself periods of grace.
• Rest your eyes: Follow the 20-20-20 rule.

See Andalib's and Kamal's setup evolve over the years.

Last point

Every line of meaningful code begins at the workstation. Getting it right does not need a big budget or be difficult to attain. Small changes, like raising a monitor, adding pads to the chair, clearing the desk or taking regular breaks, aggregate over time and especially over one's career.

Look after the space, look after your body, and together, they should look after you.

This article was dedicated to Kamal Hossain and Dr Simin Nasseri.