Working with a computer regularly can expose you to several back and neck health risks given the fact that it requires you to spend many hours sitting in the same position and doing the same movements.

Even if you don’t believe it, computer work is very demanding.  If you think about it carefully, it is very common to slouch or lean after a short time in front of a computer, and these actions force our bodies into uncomfortable positions that put a lot of stress on our neck and spine.

Computer ergonomics can help you prevent immediate back and neck pain as well as chronic conditions related to neck and spine misalignment.  Knowing how to adjust you body while working at a computer can bring you numerous benefits, including getting rid of regular headaches, reducing back pain, eliminating shoulder pain, and improving productivity and concentration.

Here are 7 tips to make computer work serve you for a change:

1.    Move regularly
When you sit or stand in the same position for a long time you are forcing your body.  This is why one of the best things you can do in regards to computer ergonomics is to move and change positions frequently.  Move your legs; stop typing and shake your arms a little; move your shoulders up and down and back and forth; take your eyes off the screen and focus on distant objects; and take regular breaks to walk and stretch a little.

2.    Adjust the monitor
The monitor should be located so that when you look at it, your neck is in a neutral position, not bent down or up.  Your back must be reclined a little, never leaning forward to see what you’re working on.  Try to get a monitor with a movable slide, so that you can lower or raise it to find the best position.

3.    Adjust the keyboard
The keyboard should not be on your lap or on the desk.  It should be positioned below the desk on a special tray to make sure your wrists and forearms maintain a neutral position.  The keyboard must also be tilted away from you in order to prevent carpal tunnel syndrome.

4.    Find the right mouse
Start by placing your elbows close to your body and hands on the desk with the forearms extended naturally.  Move your hands over the space without separating your elbows from your body; this is your neutral reach zone, and it is the space in which the mouse should be used.  You should avoid reaching out of this area with it.  The mouse must be next to the keyboard on the tray, and there should be room to change sides in case you start feeling numbness or pain.  There are symmetrical mouses that you can use with both hands.

5.    Find a clear place for your workstation
Each task you perform requires different lighting and the amount of light each individual requires is a very personal matter; however, as a general rule, your workstation should be moderately bright.  You should make sure there is no glare on the monitor and that there is not too much light

6.    Locate everything within easy reach
You shouldn’t reach out to grab things on your desk because this action forces your body into extreme postures that can cause an injury.  Everything should be organized so as to be reached easily while you are sitting in front of your computer.

7.    Get an ergonomic office chair or proper back support
Purchase the best chair and back support you can afford.  Select one that suits your body, your workspace, and the activities you do, and then adjust it appropriately so that you sit at a slightly reclined angle.

If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. They’ll thank you for it. If you have a blog or website, you can link to it or even post it to your own site (don’t forget to mention www.trucomfort.com as the original source).

You may not believe it, but sitting up straight can actually make you more confident in yourself.

A group of researchers from Ohio State University performed two studies at the same time with 71 students.  The students were separated into two groups, one directed by the business school and the other by the arts school.

They were told the arts study was researching facts that play a part in people’s acting abilities, specifically keeping a certain posture while doing other things, and the business study was looking into facts dealing with job satisfaction and good performance.  The students sat at a computer terminal and were told to either, ‘sit up straight and push out the chest’ or ‘sit slouched forward with the face looking down to the knees’.

While seated in one of these two ways, the students wrote down either three positive or negative personal characteristics related to future performance on the job.  Next, they completed a survey where they rated themselves on how well they would do as an employee.  The resulting rating was closely related to the posture they assumed while writing the positive and negative characteristics.

The students that sat up straight in a confident posture rated themselves according to the positive or negative characteristics they wrote down.  If they wrote positive ones, they rated themselves higher, while with the negative ones, they rated themselves lower.

The researchers discovered that people who were asked to sit up straight when asked if they were qualified for the job were more likely to believe the thoughts they wrote down, whether positive or negative, than those who were slouching while writing about their capacity.

The students who sat in good posture rated themselves higher than the ones who were slouched on their positive thoughts, and rated themselves lower than the slouched ones on their negative thoughts because their confidence was stronger no matter the case.

The researchers never mentioned the words ‘confidence’ or ‘doubt’ when giving the instructions, nor any other word that could lead them to a certain feeling based on their posture.  What this suggests is that people’s thoughts are influenced by their posture, even if they don’t realize it.  This also proves that posture affects not only what others think of us but also what we think about ourselves.

Posture is something you can change about yourself.  There are exercise routines like Yoga and Pilates that center on posture and alignment, as well as top of the line back support systems to help your body get used to the right posture easily.

There is no question about it!  Good posture has psychological benefits if you are a positive individual, and it is worth paying attention to.

If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. They’ll thank you for it. If you have a blog or website, you can link to it or even post it to your own site (don’t forget to mention www.trucomfort.com as the original source).

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As incredible as it may seem, the computer at home is guilty for many of the injuries you or your loved ones may suffer there.  One would think poisoning by chemicals, falls, cuts, eye injuries, and even fatalities, are more common, however, even though these things happen, the most common cause of injury is related to using the computer too much.  If this is not a big enough surprise, the cost and damaging nature of this type of injuries may astound you.  They can literally ruin a person’s life and finances.

Injuries by computer use range from cumulative trauma disorders, to repetitive motion injuries, to musculoskeletal disorders.  They develop slowly inside the person no matter the age, race, gender, or condition.  What truly matters is what people do at home.

With this said, it is clear how good ergonomics is crucial in every home.  Its practice will vary depending on the person, if it is a child or an adult, a young person or a grandpa; nevertheless, there are several tips that will work for everyone, no matter the case:

1.    Posture
Good ergonomics is all about posture.  No matter the activity, you should always think about the proper way to sit, stand, or walk, and always remember to make adjustments to avoid weird and damaging postures like slouching, reaching, bending, or twisting.

2.    Proper seat support is fundamental
Always ensure your back is well supported when working at the computer.  Get a good ergonomic chair and train yourself to be aware of your posture while sitting.

3.    Think of laptops as the big ergonomic enemy
In order to avoid unhealthy postures, the keyboard and the monitor must be separated.  Try to have a desktop computer at home besides the laptop you go to work with.

4.    Be the boss
You should have the last word at home as to how long your kids can play videogames and watch TV.  Teach them to take breaks every half hour, force them if necessary, and do the same for yourself.

5.    Learn to adjust your equipment
This is even more important if several people use the same workstation and computer.  In this case, it is better if you purchase footrests, an adjustable chair, and keyboard trays, so that everything is a fit for everyone.

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You may not believe it, but sitting up straight can actually make you more confident in yourself.

A group of researchers from Ohio State University performed two studies at the same time with 71 students.  The students were separated into two groups, one directed by the business school and the other by the arts school.

They were told the arts study was researching facts that play a part in people’s acting abilities, specifically keeping a certain posture while doing other things, and the business study was looking into facts dealing with job satisfaction and good performance.  The students sat at a computer terminal and were told to either, ‘sit up straight and push out the chest’ or ‘sit slouched forward with the face looking down to the knees’.

While seated in one of these two ways, the students wrote down either three positive or negative personal characteristics related to future performance on the job.  Next, they completed a survey where they rated themselves on how well they would do as an employee.  The resulting rating was closely related to the posture they assumed while writing the positive and negative characteristics.

The students that sat up straight in a confident posture rated themselves according to the positive or negative characteristics they wrote down.  If they wrote positive ones, they rated themselves higher, while with the negative ones, they rated themselves lower.

The researchers discovered that people who were asked to sit up straight when asked if they were qualified for the job were more likely to believe the thoughts they wrote down, whether positive or negative, than those who were slouching while writing about their capacity.

The students who sat in good posture rated themselves higher than the ones who were slouched on their positive thoughts, and rated themselves lower than the slouched ones on their negative thoughts because their confidence was stronger no matter the case.

The researchers never mentioned the words ‘confidence’ or ‘doubt’ when giving the instructions, nor any other word that could lead them to a certain feeling based on their posture.  What this suggests is that people’s thoughts are influenced by their posture, even if they don’t realize it.  This also proves that posture affects not only what others think of us but also what we think about ourselves.

Posture is something you can change about yourself.  There are exercise routines like Yoga and Pilates that center on posture and alignment, as well as top of the line back support systems to help your body get used to the right posture easily.

There is no question about it!  Good posture has psychological benefits if you are a positive individual, and it is worth paying attention to.

If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. They’ll thank you for it. If you have a blog or website, you can link to it or even post it to your own site (don’t forget to mention www.trucomfort.com as the original source).

Don’t Forget to Subscribe by RSS or Email: