Learn2 Avoid Repetitive Stress
"My Computer Is Trying to Kill Me!"
Ever wonder why you're in such a bad mood after working at your computer? Have you been experiencing wrist pain, tired eyes, or neck and back pain?
Well, you're not alone: there are more people working on keyboards and in front of monitors than ever before. Many of them have been experiencing what is now termed repetitive stress injury, or RSI.
RSI has actually been around for quite some time. Before there were lots of people working on computer keyboards, there were lots of people working on typewriter keyboards.
In the past, though, any complaints about painful wrists or backaches were generally dismissed as imaginary or opportunistic.
Once computer work became part of just about everybody's job, recommendations were developed to help people avoid these problems.
Here are some that you can apply to your workplace with a minimum of fuss and cost.
Before You Begin:
Prepare to adjust your habits as well as your physical surroundings. Remember when your parents would tell you not to sit too close to the TV set? Well, what do you think you're doing when you plant your face a foot away from a computer monitor?
Let's face it: computers are not good for our physical health. Eyestrain, wrist pain, back troubles and a fat butt are what we get from working too long in front of our computers. We can, however, minimize these complaints by setting up our work areas properly, and using some common sense.
That means modifying your workstyle to take breaks, and modifying your awareness to notice the creeping causes of strain before they become real problems.
What You'll Need:
- A stable desk (preferably with an adjustable keyboard holder;
- A supportive, adjustable chair;
- A good quality, properly adjusted monitor;
- Adequate lighting (squinting causes exhaustion and headaches).
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