ArticleBiz.com :: Free article content
Authors: Maximum article exposure. Publishers: Reprintable article content.  
BROWSE ARTICLES
ArticleBiz.com Home
Featured Articles
Recently Added Articles
Most Viewed Articles
Article Comments
Advanced Article Search
AUTHORS
Submit Article
Check Article Status
Author TOS
PUBLISHERS
RSS Article Feeds
Terms of Service

Creating A Body-Friendly Workstation
Home :: Shopping :: Tips & Advice
By: Lydia King Email Article
Word Count: 571 Digg it | Del.icio.us it | Google it | StumbleUpon it

  

For those of us spending much of our work day on a computer, taking care of our bodies at work is a priority. Not only does it help the employee feel better during long days at the office, but companies should also be concerned as employees are increasingly taking time off work and even applying for worker's comp because of injuries sustained at a desk. Repetitive Stress Injury, or RSI, is one of many complications that can arise from the combination of poor posture and all-day use of tools that are not optimized for a human user.
A few products and some tips for sitting and using your computer should reduce discomfort and the possibility of work-related fatigue or injury:

Head/Neck & Eyes:
Place the top of the monitor at or below eye level - never position it higher so that you have to lean your head back.
Position your monitor approximately 20-40 inches from your face. Use a larger font if you can't read from your screen at this distance.
Low lighting can help you avoid glare, which can cause eye strain and headaches over time. If you cannot avoid glare, use a glare filter to reduce the light being reflected into your eyes from the monitor.

Back:
Sit with your head straight between your shoulders. Do not lean or tilt your head. If the position of your desk or monitor forces your head to an awkward position over your shoulders, you should try to move it so that you can sit straight.
Your knees should be either straight in front of your hips or slightly lower.
Place your feet at an angle to the ground using a foot rest. Having your feet at an angle will relieve stress on your lower back.
Invest in an ergonomic chair or a backrest at the very least. A chair will support your body in the correct position and most are adjustable so that you can customize according to your body type. A backrest will help by supporting your back and putting your body in the correct sitting position.

Wrists & Arms:
An ergonomic mouse and keyboard are essential. They are relatively inexpensive, so there is no excuse for anyone to be using a mouse or keyboard that isn't designed for comfort.
When choosing a mouse, remember that no matter how comfortable it is to use, it is important to vary your position and movements periodically throughout the day. Repetitive movements and long periods in the same position put you at risk for strain and injury.
Maintain a loose, comfortable grip on your mouse and take breaks to stretch and rest.
Move with your elbow to move the mouse rather than resting your elbow and moving with your wrists.

A good overall tip is to remember to stand up, walk around, and stretch throughout the day. This will keep circulation going and relieve pressure in body parts that you may not even notice you are stressing.

If you are really interested in the best position for your body, an ergonomic workstation is the best investment. These systems cradle your entire body and position your chair, monitor, keyboard, and mouse in the ideal positions for zero stress on your body.

Lydia King is in marketing development at http://www.iShopErgonomics.com. iShopErgonomics is a top supplier of ergonomic mice, keyboards, workstations, chairs, and much more. iShopErgonomics strives to provide relevant advice and information about ergonomic products.

Article Source: http://www.ArticleBiz.com

This article has been viewed 70 times.

Rate Article
Rating: 0 / 5 stars - 0 vote(s).

Article Comments
There are no comments for this article.

Leave A Reply
 Your Name
 Your Email Address [will not be published]
 Your Website [optional]
 What is two + nine? [tell us you're human]
Notify me of followup comments via email


Related Articles


Copyright © 2008 by ArticleBiz.com. All rights reserved.

Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Contact Us | Submit Article | Editorial