Much of today's at-home workforce enjoy the unbridled freedom of using a laptop. No longer confined to a desk, you can work from any room of the house, a coffee shop, or even the beach! Sadly, this freedom can come at a cost - aches, pains and discomfort! But did you know that there is a simple solution? No, not the super supply of ibuprofen. Ergonomics!

When most people think of office ergonomics, they think of a typical office environment. Is your desk the right height? Does your chair offer proper support? Do you have a keyboard that protects you from overuse injuries? But none of this applies once you take that laptop off the desk and start working on the go.

There are steps you can take to prevent the sore shoulders and tight neck of computing in unconventional places (such as your bed!).

1. Use a laptop stand to elevate the laptop off your work surface so that you can see the screen without bending your neck.
   
   
2. Connect a separate keyboard and mouse to the back of your laptop or to a docking station.
   
   
3. Pay attention to your posture.

Cornell University has done extensive research on ergonomics, and has a wonderful web site devoted to the subject. Use their 5 Tips for Using a Laptop Computer to learn more about proper laptop posture. Or, use the Where It Hurts tool to diagnose your malady. They even have a great guide to setting up your workstation in an ergonomic manner with all the advice you need to make your work day more comfortable.

So go forth and work from the mountaintops, the airplane, or your kitchen table! Just be sure to stay safe and healthy with proper laptop ergonomics!