There was a time when tablets were everywhere.
Touted as the best way to work and play, people really bought into the craze.
Now, we know that working on a tablet, compared to working on a laptop or desk computer, is not particularly optimal for your health or productivity.
However, tablets can still be super useful for work, depending on what you do.
So if you ever find yourself working with a tablet, this guide on how to use a tablet ergonomically will show you how to get the most out of your tablet while protecting your body from any potential ergonomic risks.
4 Tablet Ergonomics Tips for General Workers
If you’re using a tablet on the day-to-day, you’re most likely using it like your phone – a combination of screen, keyboard and mouse in one.
If that’s the case, here are 5 tips to improve how you use a tablet:
Tip #1 💡 Raise it up ☝️
When you place your tablet flat on a surface, like a table or your lap, you’re forcing your neck into a downward bend in order to see the screen.
This position, often referred to as ‘text neck,’ puts a significant amount of strain on your cervical spine, which, over time, can lead to chronic neck pain, headaches, and even long-term postural issues.
By using a tablet stand to elevate your device, you’re bringing the screen closer to eye level, allowing your neck to maintain a more neutral and comfortable position.
An adjustable stand is particularly beneficial because it allows you to fine-tune the height and angle of your tablet, ensuring optimal viewing without straining your neck or eyes.
Tip #2 💡 Get an external keyboard and mouse 🖱️
On-screen keyboards, while convenient for short messages or quick searches, are super inefficient and uncomfortable for extended typing tasks.
This is due to the ways you need to bend your wrists and thumbs into awkward positions.
Switching to an external keyboard, especially a Bluetooth one, provides a much more natural and comfortable typing experience.
It mimics the familiar layout of a traditional keyboard, allowing for faster and more accurate typing, reducing the risk of repetitive strain injuries.
Additionally, using a mouse instead of the touchscreen for navigation and selection reduces hand fatigue and improves precision, which helps both for productivity and health.
Tip #3 💡 Take a break 😴
Even with the perfect setup, staring at a tablet screen for too long is a no-go.
Try the 20-20-20 break: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
This will give your eyes the regular chance to rest and reset, helping to prevent eye strain.
In addition to that, to give your neck, hands and wrists a break while using a tablet, try to set an alarm to stretch every hour.
Quick stretches like neck rolls and finger pulls can be done from your chair – though we do recommend getting up when you can!
Tip #4 💡 Sit up straight 🪑
Good posture is key, especially with a tablet.
Here are a few things you can do to ensure your body is supporting your tablet work:
- Get a chair with solid lumbar support.
- Raise your chair to the point where your elbows are at 90 degrees when using equipment on your desk.
- If this lifts your feet off the floor, use a footrest to give them a solid, flat base.
4 Tablet Ergonomics Tips for Artists and Designers
Artists and designers tend to use tablets for drawing, with the tablet flat on the table and the body hunched over it at all times.
We don’t need to tell you that’s not ergonomic.
So let’s dive into some tips on how to use a tablet for drawing and design.
Tip #5 💡 Adjust the Angle 📐
When drawing directly on a tablet, it’s crucial to avoid a flat surface.
A flat surface means you have to curl your neck over the desk in order to look down at it, which is not sustainable and will quickly lead to neck strain.
The two best options for this are…
- Get a separate drawing pad and use it flat on the desk. Then, use your tablet just as a screen at eye level in front of you, minimising the need to look down.
- Raise your tablet up to a height and angle that you can draw on it with your elbows resting on the desk.
Tip #6 💡 Choose the Right Stylus
Choosing the right stylus is also essential for comfort and efficiency.
Select a stylus that…
- fits comfortably in your hand
- avoids the need for excessive grip force
- comes with customisable buttons for frequently used shortcuts.
Experimenting with different nibs allows for a personalized drawing experience, enhancing both comfort and control.
Tip #7 💡 Pan and Zoom
Utilise panning and zooming whenever you can.
Trying to see small details, or details at the side of the screen, can force your eyes to work more than they need to, even if it doesn’t feel like it at the time.
This can lead to eye fatigue and strain – a silent killer for artists and designers using a tablet.
Tip #8💡 Get a Glove 🧤
A drawing glove can significantly improve comfort and reduce friction between the hand and the tablet screen, enabling smoother strokes and preventing skin irritation.
This simple accessory can make a substantial difference in comfort and performance, especially during prolonged drawing sessions.
Tablets can be fantastic work tools, but only if you use them wisely.
With the right setup and a bit of knowledge on how to use your tablet ergonomically, you can transform your tablet from a mere entertainment device into a productivity powerhouse.
Just remember, don’t let your tablet turn you into a human pretzel!
Contact Ergo Global for ergonomics assessments, training and education for your company!
