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