Usually, being neutral connotes Switzerland or not taking a stance on something.  In better contexts, being neutral is a kind way of not taking sides for various reasons.  Ergonomically speaking, staying neutral is neither political nor weak-minded.  Rather, it’s the idea of keeping your body naturally positioned so that you can avoid injury, strain, and the resulting pain of moving or working in a less than natural position.  The usual problem areas are backs, necks, shoulders, wrists, and hands- basically all the bending parts pf your body you frequently use at work.  The reason these joints, tendons, and muscles are prone to injury is because i’ts easy to bend or cock them awkwardly for long periods iof time, placing undue strain on them they were not designed for.

Thus, for specific tips and tools for maintaining neutral posture avoiding work-related injuries, such as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, check out the lost below.

• Before looking at specific products, check your actual posture.  Are you bending your wrist up or down as you type and/or mouse?  Are your feet angled awkwardly to reach the floor?  Do you over-extend your reach to grab things off your desk or from the printer?  Do you hang your head as you type?  If you answered yes, be intentional about correcting your posture so that you don’t bend or cock any part of your body more than it has to be.
• Raise your monitor.  Your screen should be at eye level so that your neck is in a neutral position and your eyes aren’t strained.
• Keep your keyboard and mouse centered in front of you and side-by-side on the same surface.  You should never have to over-extend your reach, especially when mousing since it’s not a rare action.
• Use a keyboard tray.  Keyboard trays attach to your desk, but right below the surface.  The advantage is that they keep the keyboard and mouse right next to each other, on a separate surface than the computer, and most importantly, at an angle that allows your arms to slope slightly downward when typing.   (which will keep you from cocking your wrists as you type).
• Try a wrist rest.  Poorly named, a wrist rest is actually more for the palms of your hands than your wrists and is intended for rests in between periods of typing.  However, when used properly, a wrist rest is a great tool for keeping your hands and wrists in line.
• Sit in an ergonomic chair.  There’s nothing quite like having adjustable support for your back, bottom, and arms.  Being properly supported is key in achieving and maintaining neutral posture the entire work day.

Achieving and maintaining neutral posture can be challenging, but is essential for avoiding work-related injuries.  Simple steps like raising your monitor or using a keyboard tray will help you avoid straining your neck or wrists.