| Have you ever considered swapping your regular | | | | most ergonomically correct chair, you may still |
| computer chair with a lazy-boy armchair, ratty | | | | slump and slouch. But oftentimes some of the |
| and comfy? Or sitting on an exercise ball while | | | | blame can be attributed to equipment, not just |
| you work, simultaneously typing and flexing your | | | | you. You may have a chair with excellent back |
| abs? | | | | support, but if you use any chair for hours a day, |
| Just because you sit at a computer for several | | | | your back will probably complain. I personally like |
| hours a day does not mean your health must | | | | to use three different sitting apparatuses: A deep |
| suffer. With a little creativity, your computer | | | | lazy-boy chair, butterscotch in color and usually |
| work can become healthier and more | | | | filled with blankets and, occasionally, my wiener |
| comfortable. | | | | dog. My second chair is actually an exercise ball. |
| The world average life expectancy is age 67. In | | | | That one helps me keep awake and sit properly |
| the United States, make that 78. Lucky us, life | | | | aligned, without having to think about it. My third |
| expectancy has boomed in the last twenty years, | | | | chair is a standard desk-chair with supposedly |
| thanks to medical technology. Yet studies also | | | | great support, but is in fact the chair that plagues |
| show that technology poses a threat to our | | | | me the most. Each of these three chairs sits at a |
| mental and physical health. Cell phones, computers, | | | | different level, which I enjoy. I do have to make |
| power lines and home appliances all expose the | | | | slight adjustments to the monitor and keyboard, |
| body to electromagnetic radiation and jarring | | | | but I don't mind. My back is happy not to sit in |
| vibrations that affect the human nervous system. | | | | just one structure for endless hours. |
| Start with the Computer itself | | | | How are your Eyes? |
| Restructuring your desk space starts with the | | | | We all know the monitor needs to be at least an |
| right ergonomic setup. Keyboards are now built | | | | arm's length away from your eyes. But what |
| with character recognition, making for easy wrist | | | | many of us forget is to be wary of outside glare. |
| movement . A light touch of the fingertips puts | | | | Shun out light from your peripheral vision and |
| less stress on your hands. In the long run little | | | | your eyes will be much happier. Too often, that |
| stressors add up, like keyboard flexibility and | | | | window on the far right or left is hurting your |
| mouse shape. | | | | eyes, on a subtle level. |
| Take a moment to assess the comfort ability of | | | | Complete darkness, if you can stand it, is actually |
| your computer. Do you move around the | | | | best for your eyes. Without lighting distractions, |
| keyboard with ease? Are your wrists in the | | | | your eyes can focus comfortably on the monitor |
| proper position (straight from the arm, not bent)? | | | | alone. Don't want to feel like you're sitting in a |
| Is there any piece of equipment that is forcing | | | | tomb? Well, it might take some getting used to, I'll |
| your hands into an uncomfortable position, even | | | | give you that. But if you are really spending most |
| slightly? How could you improve it? Sometimes | | | | of your life before the computer, as most of us |
| just changing the tilt of the keyboard can make a | | | | souls are, your eyes are going to thank you in |
| big difference. Does the mouse move smoothly? | | | | thirty years for the tomb-office. That is, if |
| If not, consider investing in a newer design. | | | | computers have not obliterated humankind in |
| Look at your Posture | | | | thirty years. |
| Your posture may just be bad, period. Even in the | | | | |