Laptops are handy, but they’re hard to use without curling over them. With the screen low and the keyboard attached, you end up looking down and reaching forward at the same time. It’s not you, it’s the design.

The laptop problem

On a laptop, the screen and keyboard are joined together. If the screen is at a comfortable height, the keyboard is too high. If the keyboard is comfortable, the screen is too low. Studies have found that people using laptops bend their necks further forward than people using desktop computers.

Your eyes lead your head

Your head goes wherever your eyes need it to. On a small laptop screen, text is often smaller, so your head drifts forward to see it. Making text larger can help your head settle back without you having to think about it.

One setup point

If you use your laptop for long spells, raising the screen on a stand or a pile of books and using a separate keyboard and mouse can help you sit tall. This lets your head stay over your shoulders while your arms rest comfortably.

Shorter laptop-only spells

If you can’t change your setup, shorter spells on the laptop alone may help. You could save longer tasks for a desk with a separate screen, or stand for calls.

Changing position is the key

Staying in any one position for a long time lets stiffness build. Changing position often seems to matter more than finding a perfect one. Your goal videos include a quick reset, and the 30-second VIDA videos are handy between tasks.

Something to try this week

Try making the text on your laptop larger for one day, and notice how your neck feels at the end of it.

What to take away

• Raise your laptop screen and use a separate keyboard if you can.
• Make text larger so your head can settle back.
• Keep laptop-only spells shorter.
• Change position often through the day.

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