Understanding the basics of ergonomics is essential in helping you adapt to the special set of ergonomic problems caused by laptop use. Working through the adjustment process and applying it as much as possible will be very helpful to you in understanding how to make adjustments to fit your varying work environment.

If you use a laptop at your desk, you may be able to hook up a standard or ergonomic keyboard, and perhaps a monitor as well. Then you can follow the adjustment process for a standard work area. If you are using your laptop with a docking station, adjust the docking station work area with the laptop in it.

Although the portability of laptops can give you freedom in where you work, it also restricts how you can work. Screen size, keyboard size and key size are as small as possible to save space, and this puts stress on your wrists and eyes. In addition, carrying the extra weight from the gear which can go along with a laptop can put a strain on your arms, back, shoulders, elbows and wrists.

While using your laptop in less than ideal circumstances, such as on a hotel bed or in an airline seat, posture, wrist alignment, the force and frequency of your keystrokes, and taking frequent breaks become particularly important. On an airplane, watch out for eye-straining glare, and high armrests which can cause wrist, arm and shoulder pain. Pay particular attention to your posture and wrist alignment. The air is very dry on airplanes, so blink often, and rest your eyes by focusing on a distant object regularly.

In a hotel, you can construct a lumbar support from rolled up towels and a footrest from phone books. Use whatever is available to place the laptop at the correct height for you and allow a reasonable distance between you and the laptop. Change positions often and do not rest your arms or wrists on anything while working. Check with your eyecare professional to be sure that your glasses are suitable for laptop use.

Laptop users will benefit greatly from exercise reminder software. It is much harder to maintain ergonomic health while using a laptop, so you must be constantly aware of your comfort level and be creative in finding solutions to your ergonomic needs in a varying work environment.