We spend a lot of our time on this blog talking about how to keep your computer systems free of spyware, malware and all sorts of viruses. Most of our time here at M&H Consulting is spent dealing with new software installations, data backups, cloud storage, IT support and pretty much anything pertaining to keeping our clients computer systems running in a healthy way.
Unfortunately that doesn’t leave us a lot of time to talk about the health of the most important part of your computer system – the user! As people who spend a large chunk of our time in front of a monitor we know there are certain steps to use a computer in a healthy way. Here are a few examples.
- Avoid Eyestrain – Sitting in front of a monitor all day means that your eyes need a break. Follow a 20/20/20 Rule. Every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break and focus your eyes on something at least 20 feet away. If you find yourself getting chronic headaches talk to your doctor and look into getting a screen for your computer that can cut back on glare and eyestrain.
- Practice Good Posture – Start by setting up your computer work station in an ergonomic fashion. Your monitor should be at eye level, so that you’re not always looking down. The display should be at arm’s length from your head. It should also be angled up slightly. Be sure you have a solid chair that supports your back. And finally, do as your mom always said, “Don’t slouch!”
- Move Regularly – Take a few minutes every hour to get up and move whether it is a quick trip to the lounge or just up and down the office to get your blood flowing and keep your muscles limber. There is nothing worse than standing up and the end of the day and having to “unfold” yourself because you haven’t moved in too many hours. If you find it hard to do this you may want to invest in a yoga ball to sit on or some offices are switching to standing desks to keep employees healthy.
- Avoid Wrist Strain and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome – The Mayo Clinic suggest the following steps to avoid carpal tunnel: relax your grip, take breaks, don’t bend your wrist all the way down during keyboarding, keep your hands warm, and practice stretching exercises geared to prevent wrist stiffness and carpal tunnel.
Categorised in: Computer Support, IT Consulting Services