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Last Updated on January 20, 2024 by Work In My Pajamas
If you work on a computer all day, you might be unknowingly setting yourself up for some health issues down the road. To keep yourself in tip-top shape, here are six areas of concern that heavy computer users should focus on.
1. Your Eyes
For those concerned that staring at a computer screen all day will cause them to go blind, rest easy. Despite what your parents may have told you about sitting too close to the TV, prolonged time in front of a computer doesn’t pose any serious threat to your eyes. However, it can exacerbate certain vision problems, such as eye strain. Combating this is as simple as looking away from the screen for ten seconds every half hour. Even better, take a ten to fifteen minute break each hour away from the computer to give your eyes a rest. You should also be wearing your glasses or contacts if needed to avoid more eye problems. Check in with your optometrist regularly to make sure your prescription is correct, say the experts at Crowfoot Vision Centre.
2. Your Wrists
Those who spend the majority of their days typing can be prone to carpal tunnel syndrome, which comes from too much pressure put on the median nerve. The easiest way to prevent this is by investing in a keyboard that will keep your wrists in an ideal position while you type. Otherwise, try to take breaks each hour where you rotate your wrists and stretch your fingers.
3. Your Back
One of the most common injuries related to office work is back pain. To prevent serious injury, it is ideal that you invest in an ergonomic desk chair or a seat cushion that can be placed over the chair you’ve been provided with at work. To prevent tension from building in your back and shoulders, consider yoga or stretching.
4. Your Waistline
Nothing lends itself to mindless snacking quite like desk work. In a world of driving to and from the office and sitting for eight hours before driving home, it’s easy to see your waistline expand if you’re not careful. The same is true for those who run a business from home. Sitting on the computer all day can have unwanted side effects. Opt for healthy snacks while working and guzzle from a water bottle to keep hunger at bay. On your lunch break, walk somewhere to get a little exercise in.
5. Your Mind
If you’re in front of a computer all day, it’s easy to begin to feel like a bit of a zombie. To keep your mind healthy, try to structure your tasks using a timer and take breaks when needed. If you feel yourself beginning to feel overwhelmed by your work, try a seated guided meditation that you can do at your desk in 10 minutes or less.
6. Your Sleep
Plenty of us take our work home with us, but studies have shown that artificial light can have a seriously adverse effect on our sleep. When it comes time to go to bed at the end of the day, leave your computer where it belongs, in your office.
If you follow these tips, you can keep these six things healthy, no matter how many hours a day you spend in front of a computer screen.
