Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1546135
38 FA L L 2 0 2 6 I C A S Q U A R T E R L Y Not good. Have I mentioned drinking lots of water? Coffee doesn't count! Get one of those bottles everyone is carrying around these days. Fill it with water—and make sure you finish it every day. Trainers and nutritionists recommend a half ounce for every pound of body weight. This will have two positive effects. One, you will stay hydrated and your kidneys will thank you. Two, it will make you get out of your chair—and walk to the bathroom! Your kidneys, legs, and back will thank you. Your physical and mental health is a cooperation between yourself and the environment. The ergonomic chair is only as good as your ability to use it properly, which includes making sure you have some core strength to sit up straight. Same for the mouse, the lighting, and the glimmer. LET'S WRAP IT UP There is so much to cover. We haven't talked about how those amazing, huge, distortion-free monitors—in your small room—are letting you listen at high levels without fatigue. This is one instance where no fatigue is still good, but a caution flag needs to be thrown on high SPL over long periods. Take a listening break. I could go on, but my editors have informed me there are actually other articles that need to fit in this issue, and I'm costing them a fortune in printing. [Thanks, Charles. –Ed.] Here is the big takeaway. You are the most valuable asset in your business. Take care of yourself. Get great equipment but make sure you are healthy and happy enough to use it by making sure your space isn't hurting you. One more comment from our OT Colleen Carroll: "When you are starting to feel that strain on your body physically, it can also affect you mentally. This translates to having less energy and less motivation, feeling more downtrodden. It's hard to be creative and productive when you don't feel good. Having the proper setup in the studio where you work every day is going to set you up for success and make you feel like you're thriving and want to do the things you're passionate about. This is called 'behavioral activation.' I think it's really helpful to have that foundation so you can be successful physically and mentally. This is your livelihood. You have to make sure you're focused and clear-headed. Fatigue and injuries can pile up and sap your creativity and will, and it can lead to depression." Don't let that happen to you! Happy ergonomic studio planning and building! My first studio. Notice the two computer monitors to the side. You can't see the non- adjustable office chair. I'm smiling here, but when the neck and back pain started, the smiling stopped. (That TV was on an electric lift!) Ergo ball Ergo mouse