When sitting at your machine there are a few things to take into account:

Position your machine so it sits near the edge of the table, and with the needle in front of your body (not to the left of you as many people do!). Make sure it is straight and not at a weird angle!

Pull in your chair so you can sit up straight and not bend your back to reach your machine.

Put the pedal nearby so you don’t have to stretch your leg out to get to it.

Only use the front of your foot on the pedal, and not your entire foot. Rest your heel on the ground.

DO NOT get too close to the needle with your hands, ever. It really hurts to stitch in to your fingers! I feed the fabric from much further away. Your main is giving the fabric to your machine, taking the weight of it, and steering it. None of this is done close to the needle.