| The Ergonomics of LaptopsLaptops are becoming | | | | flat or either with a slight "downhill" tilt (keyboard |
| more popular than ever as an easy way to keep | | | | pointing |
| one's | | | | down and away from you, such that the |
| documents, games, personal information, music, | | | | spacebar is higher than the F1-F12 |
| and many other things convenient. | | | | keys). (2) This relaxes the hands, bringing a more |
| However, as more and more people ditch their | | | | natural position to |
| desktop in favor of a lighter | | | | your wrists and causing less strain. If you find |
| laptop, there are important ergonomic safety | | | | yourself tending towards |
| considerations that still | | | | a behavior that tends to result in pain or |
| need to be considered no matter what style of | | | | problems over time, consider |
| computer you use. You may | | | | adjusting your equipment as well as your |
| wish to shrug these away, but disregarding | | | | posture. You'll be glad you did!3.) Take frequent |
| proper posture will lead to | | | | breaks:It's easy, while involved in something on |
| painful problems in the future! Here's some quick | | | | the computer, to go for hours |
| tips to help keep you | | | | without really standing up, stretching, and taking a |
| healthy while using your laptop, wherever you | | | | break. If you have |
| may be:1.) Position yourself correctly:No matter | | | | poor posture, sitting in it for an extended period |
| who you are, it's important to realize that it's | | | | of time only amplifies |
| easy for anyone | | | | the damage it does. Try to make it your goal to |
| to develop bad habits when it comes to how | | | | get up, stretch, and look |
| you sit in front of the computer. | | | | away from the screen - focus on things at |
| Many men tend to sit back in their chairs, further | | | | different distances away - about |
| away from the computer, | | | | once every 20-30 minutes while using your |
| often slouching, while women tend to sit forward | | | | laptop. Then, when you sit down |
| on the edge of their | | | | to begin working again, be sure you have proper |
| seats, often hunching forward. (2) Neither | | | | posture and that you and |
| posture is helpful for the | | | | your equipment are still positioned correctly. It |
| spine or for the arms and wrists over the | | | | may seem unnecessary, |
| course of time, and one of the | | | | but over time, it can save you years of back, |
| immediate results is that slouching often reduces | | | | shoulder, wrist and arm |
| proper oxygen flow in | | | | pain from osteo-arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, |
| the body, limiting proper blood flow and causing | | | | and other joint/muscle |
| various part of the body | | | | debilitating diseases.Additionally when using the |
| to become tired or worn-down prematurely.With | | | | computer for a long amount of time, make |
| laptops, it is especially easier to do this, as laptops | | | | sure to drink enough water! This is one thing that |
| bring the | | | | is overlooked quite |
| keyboard and the screen closer together, thus | | | | frequently, especially among laptop users. Studies |
| making it easier to strain | | | | have shown that people |
| your hands or eyes. If you can, sit back all the | | | | staring at a computer screen tend to blink |
| way in the chair, and | | | | significantly less often than |
| position the chair at a proper distance from your | | | | those not engaged in computer activities. What |
| laptop. Sit up straight | | | | does this mean for you? |
| and adjust the monitor/panel of your laptop | | | | Essentially, less blinking means your eyes are less |
| correctly - you shouldn't | | | | well-lubricated, resulting |
| have to move your neck to view the whole | | | | in them feeling dry, strained, or hurting after |
| screen. Let your eyes do the | | | | longer periods of time |
| work, rather than your neck. If anything hurts or | | | | without adequate water intake. In turn, this can |
| aches, even just a bit, | | | | lead to headaches, photophobia |
| adjust your posture so that this no longer | | | | (eye/head irritation/discomfort from lights), and |
| happens. Even if it seems minor | | | | possibly even migraines, |
| at the time, small things can build up over time, | | | | depending on the person. You wouldn't expect to |
| causing painful or severe | | | | go outside and work for |
| tendon or nerve deterioration. If any symptoms | | | | long periods of time doing physical labor without |
| seem severe, or exasperated | | | | getting something to |
| by longer periods at the keyboard, consider | | | | drink, so why work at the computer for long |
| seeing your physician or chiropractor | | | | hours without drinking? Keep |
| to diagnose any physical conditions you may | | | | a glass of water nearby, and drink frequently to |
| have, and determine a way | | | | leave your eyes refreshed |
| to remedy them.2.) Position your equipment | | | | and head clear.4.) Carry your laptop properly:It |
| correctly:This goes along with #1. Once you've | | | | may seem silly, but many people these days go |
| properly positioned yourself to | | | | out and spend a lot |
| your desk, take a moment to position your | | | | of time and money buying a decent laptop, but |
| laptop, mouse, and other computer | | | | then spend little money |
| implements correctly. If you find yourself looking | | | | or time investing in a good way to carry it |
| back and forth from | | | | around. Many who do purchase |
| a nearby monitor or across the screen of a | | | | a carrying case or laptop shoulder bag overstuff |
| larger laptop monitor and needing | | | | it with other things, |
| to turn your head to do so, consider positioning | | | | weighing it down, and causing repetitive shoulder |
| the monitor so that it | | | | stress and strain. The |
| lies more in your field of view. Laptops naturally | | | | bottom line: Spend the time and money to find a |
| are set up such that | | | | laptop carrying case that |
| we tend to look down at them, more than we | | | | will work for you, and then use it properly! Don't |
| would a normal computer. Over | | | | stuff heavy, unnecessary |
| time, looking down at the laptop screen for long | | | | accessories or other items into it, and utilize the |
| periods of time can lead | | | | carrying handles and |
| to neck and shoulder fatigue, stress, or injury. If | | | | straps properly. If you need to carry your |
| possible, find a way | | | | shoulder laptop bag for long |
| to set up your desk/laptop so that the first 1-2 | | | | periods of time, think about alternatives to |
| inches of the screen | | | | leaving it on your shoulder, |
| are visible when looking straight out, sitting up | | | | particularly if your laptop is weighty. Instead, |
| straight in your seat. | | | | consider carrying it |
| Not only will this make it easier on your neck, but | | | | by hand with carrying handles, or even setting it |
| it will bring better | | | | down for a bit if you |
| posture overall. (1)If need be, purchase special | | | | are stationery. Doing this will help avoid chronic |
| ergonomic equipment for your work or home | | | | shoulder pain and upper |
| office if you plan to spend long periods of time in | | | | back stress caused by long periods of |
| front of your laptop. | | | | imbalanced weighting.Following these basic safety |
| Special back-supporting chairs, arm/wrist rests, | | | | tips and precautions isn't difficult, it |
| screen magnifiers, or | | | | just takes dedication. Stick with treating your |
| ergonomic mice can all significantly help reduce | | | | body right while using |
| body stress if used properly. | | | | computers in the short run, and your body will |
| The most important thing is to listen to your | | | | thank you over the long |
| body, and adjust your posture | | | | run!-------------Sources: |
| and equipment correctly. If possible, place your | | | | (1): Daniels, Charles F. |
| laptop or external keyboard | | | | |