Friday, December 8, 2023

Writer and Reader Comfort: tools to make writing time easier (part 4) #amwriting #writinglife #reader #booklover #christmasgift #holidaygiftguide

I wrote this post in April but thought it could be helpful as people look for holiday gifts. Get these for the writers or readers in your life!

If you are a writer – or if you work at any job that keeps you at a desk all day – you may be dealing with pain in the spine. I’ve been collecting and sharing items my writer friends and I use for managing, soothing, or eliminating that pain.

My friend Teresa says, "I can work only at a table—doesn’t have to be big but it must be a table which makes the laptop monitor low and that hurts my neck… so for at least eight years I’ve used a roost laptop holder—collapses down to about four 12 inch sticks stuck together, comes with a small bag carrying case." This Roost Laptop Stand is well rated, but you can also find cheaper versions, and I think the  Adjustable Laptop Table I mentioned a previous post would also work for this.

Meanwhile, my friend Kimberly has been dealing with severe hip pain. She says, “I bought a Naipo hand-held electric cord massager about 5 years ago that really helps if I use it for at least 10 minutes, the tight muscles will relax enough so that I can sleep.” I didn’t find the Naipo, but Amazon has tons of Massage Guns at various prices. Be sure to check out the reviews! Kimberly recommends using a heating pad to warm your muscles before using the massager.

Siting at a desk can contribute to Circulation Problems While Working, as this article shows. Be sure you get up and move every hour! You might also find some ways to reduce the strain on your body at your desk.

Standing desks let you switch between standing and sitting without even leaving your desk. You can schedule an alarm to remind you to switch – or do some stretches. While there are very expensive options, some of these are around $100.

If you’re standing while you work, you probably want an Anti-Fatigue Mat. These help cushion your feet to reduce foot and joint pain. They’re good if you do a lot of standing in the kitchen as well! They come in several designs and some fun styles. 

You can also try changing your chair. I mentioned some options in a previous post, but you might try a kneeling chair, balance ball chair, or ergonomic stool for “active sitting,” which engages your muscles more to promote core muscle strength, good posture, and blood circulation. Here are some Active Sitting Chair options.

Teresa also recommended the Desk Cycle Ellipse, which sits under your desk so you can peddle while you work. What a great way to burn calories, build up leg strength, and keep your blood moving! It has great reviews, with almost 1800 ratings and a 4.7-star average.

I hope you find something here that makes your life easier. Check out the previous posts on “Writer and Reader Comfort” and  “Comfort at Your Desk” as well. I may have more as I discover useful tools for writers and readers! Feel free to drop your favorites in the comments. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.


Kris Bock writes novels of mystery, suspense, and romance. In the Accidental Detective series, a witty journalist solves mysteries in Arizona and tackles the challenges of turning fifty. Kris’s Furrever Friends Sweet Romance series features the employees and customers at a cat café. In the Accidental Billionaire Cowboys series, a Texas ranching family wins a fortune in the lottery, which causes as many problems as it solves. Sign up for the Kris Bock Mystery and Romance newsletter and get a free Accidental Detective short story and bonus material, a free 30-page sweet romance set in the world of the Furrever Friends cat café, and a printable copy of the recipes mentioned in the cat café novels.

Kris also writes a series with her brother, scriptwriter Douglas J Eboch, who wrote the original screenplay for the movie Sweet Home Alabama. The Felony Melanie series follows the crazy antics of Melanie, Jake, and their friends a decade before the events of the movie. Sign up for the romantic comedy newsletter to get a short story preview, or find the books at Amazon US or All E-book retailers.

Kris has over 100 books for children published under the names Chris Eboch and M. M. Eboch. Her novels for ages nine and up include The Eyes of Pharaoh, a mystery in ancient Egypt; The Well of Sacrifice, a Mayan adventure used in many schools; and The Genie’s Gift, a middle eastern fantasy. Jesse Owens: Young Record Breaker and Milton Hershey: Young Chocolatier are inspiring biographies focused on them as children and young men.

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