| For many years, people have spent hours in their | | | | fifteen to twenty minutes will help the neck muscles to |
| offices, working very hard to build a career and | | | | relax and not become too tense. About every half |
| support their families. They sit at the same desk, using | | | | hour, regular computer users should take a short break |
| the same keyboards and chairs each day. As time | | | | by walking and stretching. |
| progresses, these same people begin to notice that | | | | Your office equipment and its arrangement are very |
| they are developing new aches and pains. Blaming it | | | | important to your health. Your desk should be large |
| on old age or stress, they continue to endure the pain, | | | | enough for any and all necessary items, including your |
| which often worsens as the weeks and months slip | | | | computer, monitor and mouse. The legs should have |
| by. Sadly, many of these people do not realize that | | | | enough room to be flexible and relax. The chair should |
| being uncomfortable does not have to be a part of | | | | be comfortable with an ergonomic design. The seat |
| their everyday lives. Making small changes in their | | | | should have stable and secure wheels, adjustable |
| office equipment or in the way they sit or type can | | | | height and a padded seat. If your chair does not adjust |
| make such a difference. | | | | and your feet do not reach the floor, you should use a |
| The term "ergonomics" has grown very popular in | | | | foot rest to give your feet and legs support throughout |
| recent years. The dictionary gives this description of | | | | the day. |
| ergonomics: "The applied science of equipment design, | | | | It's best not to cradle the phone on your neck while |
| as for the workplace, intended to maximize | | | | typing. Although it can't always be avoided, this position |
| productivity by reducing operator fatigue and | | | | causes a great deal of strain on the neck and |
| discomfort." In other words, when we speak of | | | | shoulders. A phone headset is the best way to handle |
| ergonomic office equipment, we are speaking of | | | | this, but if that is not possible, a phone cushion, which |
| equipment that will provide you with less fatigue and | | | | rests on your shoulder, is the next best option. |
| discomfort as you work. | | | | There are some areas of stress that cannot be |
| These are products that will make your life easier by | | | | avoided in the office. Deadlines, relationship |
| giving your body the support it needs to get through | | | | problems,noise, and lack of communication are all |
| the day and relieving stress on various parts of your | | | | areas of stress that sometimes can't be avoided. |
| body. We become miserable when we use the same | | | | However, physical stress can often be avoided by just |
| muscles everyday at work. People often make the | | | | recognizing the areas of fatigue and slowly changing |
| mistake of trying to change their position at the desks | | | | the way we do things. |
| and keyboards, only making the physical problems | | | | There are some simple ways to avoid stress. Getting |
| worse. | | | | plenty of sleep is of utmost importance and will help |
| It's amazing how much attitude and productivity can | | | | you feel better both physically and emotionally. After a |
| improve when we understand ergnomics. Using proper | | | | good night's rest, the problems in our lives don't seem |
| body movements, correcting posture, making simple | | | | as stressful. Taking breaks throughout the day helps |
| arrangements of the workstation and taking regular | | | | refresh both the mind and body. |
| breaks can all help one feel better at the end of the | | | | A daily exercise program of stretching and walking will |
| day. It may take some time and thought, but becoming | | | | help keep you relaxed and give your body fresh |
| aware of how you feel throughout the day will help | | | | energy. It also helps to realize that if you are overtired, |
| you to develop good habits to help you reduce stress | | | | it's time to take a break. Sometimes, this might involve |
| at the workplace. | | | | a vacation, or it might even just mean going home to |
| When doing office work, the back and neck are two | | | | relax so you will be more able to be productive the |
| of the most vulnerable spots on the body. Because | | | | next day. |
| this type of work often includes typing, filing, and sitting | | | | Last, but not least, when you go home, leave your |
| for lengthy periods of time, these areas are often | | | | work there. Although many people are working at |
| overused and overworked. Remembering to sit up | | | | home these days, there needs to be a clear line |
| straight, resting gently on the back of the chair, will help | | | | between work and home. Leave the office, close the |
| the back to stay aligned. | | | | door, and do something to enjoy life. In the long run, this |
| In order to avoid holding your neck either up or down, | | | | will ultimately allow you to be the productive, efficient |
| the computer screen needs to be parallel with the | | | | worker you desire to be. |
| head. Slowly turning the head from side to side every | | | | |