Protect Yourself from Repetitive Strain Injury
I am starting to think there are days for everything – for example, did you know that today is Repetitive Strain Injuries Awareness Day? If you are on your computer for several hours a day, you are susceptible to RSI, but there are a few things you can do to prevent it.
For starters, make sure that your workstation is set up properly so that you’re not putting undue stress on any part of your body. Experts generally recommend that you use a desk with a tray that is slightly lower for your keyboard and mouse. I am no expert, but it’s my opinion that a lot of damage is caused because users have a tendency to keep their hand positioned on the mouse while reading on screen. I certainly found that my wrist pain was reduced when I made a conscious effort to take my hand off the mouse when I wasn’t clicking or scrolling on anything. When I switched from a desktop computer to a notebook, I was worried that working on a higher surface would lead to physical problems, but I’m pleased to say that so far it has not been a problem. This may be in part due to the fact that I am more likely to sit back with my hands on my lap or armrests while reading on screen, now that I don’t have a mouse to cling to.
Of course, another habit that is so important is getting up from your desk and stretching on a regular basis. Unfortunately, it can be hard to remember to do this if you’re involved in a big job, especially a creative project like website design. But just as there are days for everything, there is software for everything, and I recently learned that there’s a program called PRSI Break which is a fully animated stretch break program for computer users. It not only shows you what to do, you can set it to remind you when it’s time for a break. What will they think of next?
If you don’t feel like adding more software to your system, you can always set Outlook or even your cell phone to remind you to take an hourly stretch. Instead of letting your technology hurt you, turn things around and make it help you prevent repetitive strain injury!
