Health tips for computer user

Introduction

People who work at the computer regularly are actually atrisk of numerous health problems. The biggest problem is that itrequires sitting for prolonged periods of time. Ergonomics is the science whichtries to fit the job to the employee. Those who do more work that requirescertain postures for prolonged periods of time develop conditions known asrepetitive stress injuries. Ergonomists are those who try to help those withthese ailments.

Tips

Those who work at a computer should not sit longer than anhour and should always stretch after each hour of work. The intervals ofstretching should be regular and they should involve fingers, arms, hands,knees, and torso. One should move the upper body parts every 10 minutes or so.Exercising, getting up and having short walks are also great ideas.

One needsto maintain a good posture which will provide the optimum working. Hands shouldbe parallel to the floor while the head needs to be slightly bent forward andwell balanced. Shoulders and upper arms need to be fully relaxed. Elbows mustnot be bent above 120 degrees while the back needs to be fully supported at alltimes.

The hips and thighs need to be parallel to the floor and supported by a seatthat is well padded. The computer monitor must always be placed at therecommended angle and distance and it needs to have proper clarity settings atall times. It has to be set so that any awkward posture is out of the question.The monitor needs to be 20 to 40 inches away from the head.

The eyes may restperiodically by looking at objects that are far away. The mouse and its padalways need to be positioned in a position that maintains a neutral wristposture. The keyboard needs to be at a comfortable position at all times. If itgets positioned too low or too high it may lead to awkward arm, wrist andshoulder postures which may lead to repetitive stress injuries.

A neutral bodyposture can be obtained by adjusting the height of the chair and the desk. Thetilt of the keyboard can also be lowered or lifted. All these devices, includingthe phone need to be positioned within the so called repetitive access area. Chairsshould be adjustable and mobile since one needs space for thighs and legs underthe desks. Chair should also always provide adequate support for all the partsof the body.