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Computer Health

37 Responses (Add) | Tuesday, March 4th, 2008 at 11:01pm

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With so many of us spending hours on end at our computers these days, it’s no wonder we have body pains and health issues. Here are some excellent tips to help you stay in better “computer health”.

  • Beware the strain of working 8-hour days. Eye strain, soreness, visual fatigue and headaches can all result from a computer screen set at an uncomfortable height or angle. You can avoid these 21st century work-related hazards simply by adjusting the position of your screen. When sitting comfortably and looking at the screen, your eyes should ‘land’ at the top of it. If they don’t, you’re likely to experience eye related difficulties later on. You may find it easier to re-position your chair, rather than the computer. Arrange the screen at 90 degrees to your desk, to minimize reflections from ceiling lights and/or high windows. Take regular breaks. Fatigue and stress aren’t helped by the bright light given off by computer screens. Spend at least 5 minutes every hour doing non-computer work. This will rest your eyes.
  • Stretching your ankles could ease chronic back pain. Shortened Achilles tendons can cause chronic back pain. They prevent you from walking well, putting stress on your spine. Here’s how to relax and strengthen your tendons, reducing the risk to your back. Stand 60-90cm away from a wall, facing it. Lean towards the wall, putting palms flat against it with both feet on the ground. Move one foot half the distance to the wall. Keep your other leg straight at the knee, with your heel flat on the floor. Now, bend the forward knee and both arms slowly and rhythmically. The back heel must be kept on the floor and the tail tucked in at all times. Continue for 20 seconds. Relax. Change legs and repeat ten times.
  • Avoid backache by sitting properly at your desk. Keep your feet firmly on the floor when working. Dangling legs affect your circulation, create bad posture and lead to backache.
  • Avoid computer-related hand and wrist injuries. Do this simple exercise every morning before work. Hold your arms out straight in front of you. Lift up your hands at 90 degrees, and spread your fingers. Hold for five seconds, lower, and relax. Then clench your fists, and lower your wrists at 90 degrees. Hold for five seconds, straighten, and relax. Repeat ten times, and repeat at lunchtime, just before starting work for the afternoon.
  • How leaning on a wall beats back strain and injury. This great daily exercise only takes a few minutes. It helps re-align the muscles in your back, to help undo the strains of everyday life. Stand with your back against a wall, with your feet 14-20cm (5-8 inches) away from the skirting board. Now try to flatten the small of your back against the wall, by pulling in your stomach muscles. Do not bend your knees. Hold this position for five seconds, then relax and repeat five times. Keep breathing regularly and evenly throughout.

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37 Comments

IT Professionals

March 6th, 2008
at 11:06pm

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Windows Vista Torrent

March 5th, 2008
at 7:33am

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March 7th, 2008
at 6:52pm

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gnfnr211

March 4th, 2008
at 8:08pm

ANTI VISTA LOLOOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL

greggScutum

March 4th, 2008
at 8:56pm

Anti vista is one of the main parts of your PC.

funnyent

March 5th, 2008
at 4:45am

LOL anti vista!!!!!!

WesMantooth10

March 5th, 2008
at 7:25am

wow

6 comments in a row with anti vista

AshTR

March 5th, 2008
at 12:50am

This was one of the recent videos that I really liked.

I also thought there was a way to prevent carpal tunnel by putting your right hand fingers sort of in between your left hand fingers and pushing away from you. Or something like that. I’d have to ask a chiropractor to be sure.

I’ll definitely be sure to try the “wall push-ups” though.

Ben

March 5th, 2008
at 1:12am

Thanks for the tips. I spent quite some time on my computer so I’ll be sure to try them out!

gamer00769

March 5th, 2008
at 10:14am

HEY!!!! vista isnt that bad lol its had more than its share of its problems but are you still going to bag on it now after a year seriously get over it

Error32

March 5th, 2008
at 10:04am

Good Point Chris,
I do need a new chair,the one i have i lean back.
and,i do notice that my back does get sore! after sitting in it all day at work.
Another good Exercises the neck.

* Tilt your head slowly back, far enough so you can look up.
* Hold posture for a moment.
* Return slowly to front position.
* Do 5-10 repetitions of this exercise 3 times a day.

if anyone is interested in more neck exercises. here is the link.
http://www.des.umd.edu/os/erg/neck.html

Error32

msb9c1

March 5th, 2008
at 2:03pm

Just a few comments on your “computer health”

One thing that I would also mention is your keyboard placement and type. When you are typing on a keyboard that is higher or lower then 90 degrees to your sitting position will also cause additional stress on your fingers and your wrists and your lower back. So when you sit in your new ergonomic chair make sure that you are sitting in the correct position with both feet on the floor this will give you the correct angle to reach the keyboard.
If you do a lot of “hard typing” I would recommend an ergonomic keyboard either from Logitech or Microsoft or something similar. These keyboards are designed to fit your hands in their “natural” shape. I would also recommend a keyboard doesn’t require a lot of force on the keystrokes. Such as the new Apple Keyboard, this keyboard requires a lighter touch then most and again will cause less strain on your fingers and wrists. This is just my two cents.

Thanks
Michael Brandhorst
Aka msb9c1

yertalert

March 6th, 2008
at 12:11am

oh! so hes suposed to put up with vista? why? we are the users!!!! we dont have to put up it it! may i remind you of your “SPACIAL PROBLEM”! aka BSOD! when mac os x works! just as good as vi$sta (well with a lot less crashing!!!!!) why go for it? maybe windows vienna will be good! i am not saying it wont be… but by that time must people will have switched to a mac and there will be many more apps… BTW i am a pc user :( switching soon : )

Sparkygravity

March 6th, 2008
at 1:57am

I personally liked the anti-m joke… sense it plays on the wizard of oz character auntie em

tpavra

March 5th, 2008
at 10:49pm

These tips are very interesting, especially the first one, I always thought setting the LCD/CRT at the middle, but putting it at the top is much more comfortable. I use computers for about 10 hours a day, and I spend every few minutes looking away. I also find LCD monitors much more comfortable to run over CRT monitors.

Aaron Barton

March 5th, 2008
at 10:55pm

these were good tips
i been using these since you talked about them in this video
it feels very refreshing

dmc081

March 6th, 2008
at 4:47pm

very true i losted my vision from computer now i can’t c well n now i need glasses

email2vl

March 7th, 2008
at 12:55am

Having read your blog post, I feel that there is something that I don’t do enough of–take breaks away from the computer. Thanks for the reminder, Chris.

clc786

March 7th, 2008
at 12:00pm

wow !! chris i swear you the best man.

jiujitsu909

March 7th, 2008
at 1:10pm

anti vista lol i got vista i think its fine ,

Colten420

March 7th, 2008
at 1:48pm

I remember when i my neck and back started to hurt real bad, so I went to my doctor and she couldn’t figure it out, she went to ask some other doctors. she came and simply asked me if i worked on computers for long hours of the day. I said yes and she told me to just get up shake my hands about and to do some neck rolls. I did that but i ended up having to just take a couple days off from computers until my back and neck was alright. But anyways i love the tips and the stretches work wonders been using then for a couple days, And wow do the work i love them especially the hand one it works so much better than just shaking your hands around like the are on fire.

Rene

March 7th, 2008
at 6:18pm

Glare is another point that could aslo effect your computing experience. Bright lighting and too much glare can make it difficult to see objects on your screen and strain your eyes. To check glare, sit at your computer with the monitor off. This allows you to see the reflected light and images.

*Great article, its always a good idea to keep all of the tips in mind.

-Rene :)

wyattk1

March 9th, 2008
at 8:27am

lol anti-vista!!!!!!!!

RRA1ncognito

March 9th, 2008
at 3:39pm

I have anti-Emme… Wizard of Oz FTW!!!

tigrous4ever

March 10th, 2008
at 5:29pm

lol i got a $15 dollar ikea chair

Peterle07

March 13th, 2008
at 9:25pm

hol dir dieses video aufs handy, kostenlos hier: viif . de / video-mitnehmen

Neck Exercises

September 27th, 2009
at 11:37am

These are good points and a good reminder that your health is important even while using the computer. A recommendation would be to take a break and stretch once every hour. Here are some good sitting neck exercises.

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