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The Northstar guide to a better workspace

Light, sound, posture and focus: small changes to your desk setup that make a big difference to your day.

Illustrated portrait of Priya Raman

Priya Raman

A glowing sphere on a soft warm background

We spend thousands of hours a year at our desks. A few thoughtful changes can make those hours more comfortable and more productive.

Light

Position your main light source to the side of your screen, not behind or in front of it. Use warmer light in the evening to help you wind down.

Sound

Open offices are noisy. Noise-cancelling headphones help, but so do soft surfaces: rugs, curtains and even books absorb sound.

Posture

Alternate between sitting and standing every 30 to 60 minutes. Keep your screen at arm's length with the top at eye level.

Focus

Block time for deep work in your calendar and protect it like a meeting. Tools like Northstar Focus can help.

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