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COMPUTER
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1993-02-09
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COMPUTER HEALTH
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
The following topics are of interest to computerists and
people who do a lot of desk-work:
IN THE WORKPLACE
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Having comfortable and attractive furniture will have
an immediate and noticeable effect. Most importantly, years
later, you are less likely to have troubles related to
spending many hours sitting in a incorrectly designed chair.
The Chair
Your chair will be your most important piece of office
equipment. So, make your purchase carefully. Shop around
and ask a lot of questions. Be sure you don't have to be an
acrobat to adjust the darn thing! See that it has all the
features you need. It should have an adjustable seat pan.
Adjust it so that it angles slightly down. This will keep
pressure off of the lower back. For people working with
keyboards for extended time periods, it's best to angle the
seat down in front. Arm rests should be adjustable and
removable. The chair should swivel and move. It is
important that it has lumbar (lower back) support. The seat
height and the backrest need to be adjustable. These should
also be laterally adjustable.
While sitting in your brand new fancy chair, check your
posture now and then. Make sure the lower back is firmly
against the chair back. All the main blood vessels that
supply the extremities run down the back of the legs.
Therefore, crossing your legs greatly decreases the blood
flow to your heart and puts an unnecessary strain on it. So -
keep your feet flat on the floor. If you can't reach, use a
foot rest.
Palms should be kept up off the keyboard. Use wrist
rests. Position your tilting keyboard pan so your elbows are
bent at 90 degree angles and your wrists at 10 to 20 degrees
from horizontal. The middle row of the keyboard should be at
elbow level. Also, hit the keys as lightly as possible. It
doesn't require great force to depress a computer key.
Be certain your office and desk lighting is correct. If
not, change it, if possible. Bad lighting can cause
irritating glare. Anti-glare filters that fit over your VDT
screen, indirect lighting, non-reflecting glass screens can
prevent glare and minimize eyestrain. Remind yourself to
blink frequently to keep your eyes moist and comfortable
while computing and reading. Eye strain is a common computer
user's discomfort. To help prevent it, say to yourself, "I
am now relaxing my eyes." say anything that will help you to
not stare the computer down!
Instead of laying papers flat, use a document holder
next to the screen. Keep your neck as relaxed as possible,
your chin slightly down and tucked in, your head straight
ahead. If you do much copying, you might consider learning
touch typing so that you can remain focused on the copy, and
not have to switch back and forth from copy to keyboard, to
monitor. If you are involved in graphics, don't strangle
your mouse. You'll have as much accuracy when you hold it
lightly.
The Desk
Get yourself a desk which allows you to sit at least 24
inches away from your monitor. There should be room for a
wrist pad between the edge of the desk and the keyboard. The
monitor should be positioned 15 to 30 degrees lower than your
eyes. Interestingly, many so-called "computer desks" are
ergonomic disaster areas. With these desks, the monitor is
too high for a comfortable neck, too close for comfortable
eyes, and there is no room for your papers, books, notes and
disks.
If you have a large desktop, try to avoid the common
habit of pushing the keyboard forward and then slouching over
to reach it. Otherwise, you may look like a C-clamp in a few
years.
More important than the furniture is your workplace's
emotional atmosphere, of course. If it's not satisfactory,
do what you can along with your boss and co-workers to change
it. You and everyone involved will be happier and healthier
for it, and the company will also profit from your greater
productivity.
Cumulative Trauma Disorders
Computing can also be a strain on your eyes, especially
if you have contacts. Excessive hours in front of your
computer can also cause eye irritation, blurred vision,
discomfort in your neck, back, shoulders, joint pain, and
other symptoms discussed in the previous chapter. Sitting is
one of the most structurally taxing "activities" for
your neck and back. Slouching compounds the discomforts
long-time sitting can cause. It compresses the spinal
nerves, unduly stresses the spine, causes muscle tension,
headache strain, and fatigue, which can in turn cause unclear
thinking.
Have someone who knows about posture show you how to sit.
Lazy posture and incorrect body mechanics while word
processing, probably causes more muscle and joint pain and
problems than anything else.
Just four hours a week at a computer is sufficient time
to cause a significant injury if you are working at a
inefficiently designed or adjusted workstation. With the
old-time typewriters, there were frequent arm and wrist
position changes and natural breaks, like putting in new
paper and carriage returns. Today, it's non-stop and
high-speed; which puts more wear and tear on hands and wrists
because there is no recovery time. We aren't physically
equipped to handle thousands of repetitive motions an hour.
The most common injury is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Carpal
Tunnel Syndrome is a compression of a nerve which runs
through your wrist, resulting in a tingling sensation in your
fingers or pain in fingers, hands or wrists.
Women run a two to five times greater risk of suffering
from CTD (Cumulative Trauma Disorders, which includes carpal
tunnel syndrome) than men. The incidences of this injury
have reached alarming proportions.
"Cumulative Trauma Disorders have become the nation's
leading cause of occupational illnesses." says Sharon Danann,
research director of Nine-To-Five, the National Association
of Working Women. And in the 1990's, they will account for
one-half of all job related disorders."
Approximately a fifth of the LA Times' editorial staff
have had CTD symptoms. Not just computer-workers are at
risk. Anyone who uses their hands in a repetitive way for
long periods of time are. Retail and grocery clerks, mail
workers, gardeners, musicians, and assembly-line people all
have CTD complaints.
NOTE: Use your entire hand while picking things up, not just
the thumb and forefinger. This takes the stress off of the
wrist.
Monitors and Electromagnetic Fields
Monitors emit several kinds of radiation. Ultraviolet
light radiation has been blamed for cataracts, and high and
low frequency electromagnetic radiations have been blamed for
cancers and birth defects. So far, it hasn't been proven or
disproven that any of these radiations around computers
actually cause biological damage. The radiations your VDT
emits are said to be in the "safe" range. Still, "buyer
be ware." For safety's sake, put your monitor at least 24
inches away from your body. The electromagnetic
radiation* is very strong close to the tube, but fades
rapidly as you move further away. At three feet, the
radiation is indistinguishable from natural background
radiation (with today's detection instruments). Directly in
front of a monitor is a safer place than to the side or
behind, because there is a high-voltage coil in the back or
one side which is the highest emitter of electromagnetic
radiation. So - do not get close to the back or the sides of
the monitor, even if it's in the next room. This type of
radiation penetrates walls.
*Studies suggest that it's wise to avoid this radiation by
not sleeping or sitting for a long time near electric
devices; by unplugging water bed heaters and electric
blankets before going to bed, and by staying at least 5 feet
away from all sides of your T.V.
For light radiation, anti-radiation screens can help, but
only block electric fields at very low frequency levels and
extremely low frequency levels (VLF and ELF). They do not
block magnetic fields, and high frequencies, which are
thought by many scientists to be a more serious danger.
Below are some of the health problems that have been
linked to extensive computer use:
Pregnancy Disorders
A possible increased risk of miscarriage or birth
defects. Radiation and on-the-job emotional and physical
stress has been suggested to be a possible explanation for
this. Very controlled studies have not yet confirmed the
connection.
Cataracts
Ultraviolet radiation from your computer screen has NOT
been found to cause them. The levels known to cause
cataracts are 10,000 times higher than those coming from a
VDT.
NOTE: For more information on the exposure hazards of
magnetic fields, read Paul Brodeau's CURRENTS OF DEATH. To
gain more knowledge of your electromagnetic field, read
Robert O. Becker's THE BODY ELECTRIC.
Computer Related Injury Prevention
According to numerous sources and research, the best
prevention technique is to simply take frequent breaks - more
about this in a few seconds. Since there's no time for long
workouts on the job, look for hidden exercise opportunities.
Take a brisk 10 minute walk during lunch, do some deep
breathing or just stand up by your desk and do some simple
stretches. These short spurts of exercise taken throughout
the day will help with weight loss and lowered heart rates.
And of course, remember to use the stairs instead of the
elevator. During your rest periods, it is extremely
important to relax your hands. Let them go limp, shake them
out, massage them, anything but bending, twisting or
straining your wrists or fingers. To help maintain
healthy eyesight, look as far into the distance as possible
for 15 seconds, many times a day.
You will produce more if you break at least once every 45
minutes. Although, ideally, the "20/20" approach is best.
This means that every 20 minutes, you would get up and
stretch, and/or move around for 20 seconds. An old-fashioned
oven timer works well for this. Or you can set your digital
watch or clock to go off at regular intervals. Also, there
are some TSR programs containing timer alarms that will
interrupt your work to let you know it's time to rest and
stretch.
And, remember to breathe deeply in a natural manner. Be
sure that there is adequate ventilation in your workplace so
you can.
Relaxation and Stretching
For those of you who are overwhelmed - take heart. As
with the information on injury prevention, choose only what
you have the time and inclination for. Even if you choose
just one or two hints and exercises from each segment - the
relief you will feel will have made it far worth the effort!
Every five minutes, look across your office or out the
window. On those conference calls, remember to switch the
phone receiver from side to side. Better yet invest in a
high quality speaker phone.
Breathe deeply while doing these stretches:
Press your forehead into your palms resisting forward
motion with your hands. Hold for 15-30 seconds. Clasp your
hands behind your head and press your head back. Resist any
motion with your hands, holding for 20 seconds. Turn your
head to one side, resisting any motion with your hand. Switch
sides and hold for same amount of time on each side. Then,
tilt head to one side, resisting any movement with your hand,
again, holding the position for 20 seconds on each side.
Step away from your desk. Shrug your shoulders up to
your ears, hold 5-7 seconds, then release. Repeat 3 times.
Rotate each shoulder separately forward for 7 seconds and
then backward for the same amount of time. Place your left
arm (bent at elbow) up and over your head. Then grasp upper
arm with right hand and pull it gently, slowly toward you,
while leaning a little to the right. Feel the stretch all
down your side and in your back. Repeat this with your right
arm. For upper back tension relief, interlace fingers
behind head and scrunch shoulderblades together and hold for
3-7 seconds, then release. Repeat a few times. Shake your
hands at your sides, overhead, in the air and everywhere.
Shake your whole body. This will boost sluggish circulation
and help keep muscles loose.
For a pick-me-up, do this:
Beginning at your shoulder, gently "slap" your arm down
to your wrist. Do the same thing to the other arm. Then, pat
your chest - this stimulates the thymus, the heart of the
immune system. Be sure to go to the middle of the breastbone.
Then pat your stomach. Next pat your legs down to the tops
of your feet. Complete by doing the same to your head, neck,
back and buttocks. You'll feel tingly and energized by the
end of this "exercise."
For the Neck and Shoulders
To loosen a stiff neck and sore shoulders, do these with
a straight spine and BREATHE DEEPLY while sitting:
1. Slowly drop your head fully forward, then backward. Then
tilt, then rotate to each side. Hold each position for
5 seconds or longer.
2. Turn your head slowly as far to the right as COMFORTABLE
Then, hold for 4 seconds. Repeat the above for the other
side. Continue until you feel an easing of tension.
3. Grasp as much of the top of your left shoulder you can
with your right hand, squeeze firmly for 5 seconds and
let go quickly. Repeat on other shoulder. Do each
shoulder 3 times.
4. Open and close your mouth widely, several times to
relax the jaw which in turn, helps relax the neck.
To Calm and Energize
Anytime you want to feel calmer and more centered, close
your eyes, inhale and exhale very slowly at least four times
through your nostrils. Let your exhale be longer than your
inhale. If you wish, with a relaxed attention, count to 4 on
your in breath and 5 on your out breath. This exercise will
increase your energy level.
If would like to increase work productivity, turn on an
easy listening station. Their music is geared to the mood
changes people typically go through in the course of a day.
Lively and upbeat to get moving in the morning, stimulating
tunes during the prelunch slump and relaxing music for day's
end. Another way to increase work efficiency and
effectiveness is to be physically fit and strong. This will
give you more vitality which will in turn raise your
productivity. For desk bound executives, this can be a
challenge. NordicTrack has risen to meet that challenge.
Their new product, The Executive Power Chair was designed
with the corporate person in mind.
It doubles as a high-quality office chair and a
strengthening device that allows '90s executives to build
their upper body strength and muscle tone while taking care
of business. You can use it while on conference calls or
while reading. All of the major muscle groups can be
effectively exercised in just 10 to 20 minutes. A basic 3 day
a week workout on the Power Chair can build muscle and bone
mass, tone flabby stomachs, increase energy level and relieve
stress. It's a great way to get in shape while on the job!
For more information contact NordicTrack.
For Home-Workers
If you spend long hours at your home computer working or
playing, you may experience certain discomforts that can be
avoided. If you have a cat, take the "Kitty Kat Kure." Lay
back in your recliner or your favorite place to relax with
your cat on your lap or chest. Researchers say that petting
a pet relieves stress, lowers your blood pressure and
heartrate. Do a jigsaw puzzle. This can slow you right
down. Run around the block, take a short, brisk walk. Do
some some of the exercises mentioned earlier in this section.
Do yoga or improvised stretches. Remember to take "breathing
breaks." Inhale to the count of four and exhale to the count
of five. Be inventive, make up your own! Take a comedy break.
Tape some comedy acts. Watch a clip or two when you really
need a laugh (may I suggest the "Best of Saturday Night Live"
- order through Time-Life's 800 number shown on T.V.). Find
SOMETHING to laugh at - maybe even yourself! Laughter can
save your life. See COMEDY on the main menu.
The following technique called "progressive relaxation"
is best done while lying down:
Beginning with feet, say to yourself: " My feet are now
beginning to relax. I am now relaxing my feet. My feet are
TOTALLY relaxed." Then move up to your calves, thigh...you
get the picture, until you've covered every part of your
body. When you get to your head say: "I am now relaxing my
forehead, I am now relaxing my entire head." Now, I will
relax my mind, etc. Repeat the phrase 2-4 times. Do this at
least once a day. This one works well for getting to sleep
quickly. It can be done in 2-3 minutes. However, it's most
effective when you take 5-10 minutes. A simplified version
is to close your eyes (if in a bank line or waiting room,
leave eyes open - if more comfortable), take a deep in
breath expanding the stomach while saying "I am." On the out
breath, say "relaxed" or "peaceful" or whatever word or
phrase works best for you.
Relax Your Eyes
Every hour or so, palm your eyes. This is done by
getting into a reclining or lying down position, then rub
your hands together until heat is generated, then place your
palms over your eyes, your right hand slightly over your
left. Leave them there while breathing naturally, deeply and
fully for 3-5 minutes - less if time is limited. Relaxing
the eyes calms your body and mind.
For the most part, what we have discussed in this section
have been preventive techniques. Like anything else,
relaxing is a skill that requires learning. It is a habit
that you establish for yourself. It's one of the best
insurances against injury. If you already have CTD symptoms,
all the experts say to REST. This means, if possible, to
take some time off. These injuries will respond to rest -
BEST if attended to soon enough. The stretching and
exercises offered here, focusing on flexibility and strength
will help at any stage. However, rest is best. People have
had excellent results using massage and other forms of
physical therapy. If you must stay on the job,
alternating applications of heat and ice have helped some.
Braces or wrist splints can protect injured tendons and force
larger muscles to carry more of the load. Remember if you
are experiencing any numbness, pain or tingling, see your
practitioner or physician immediately! You will gain by
saving yourself from pain and some very costly surgery. It
is always better to prevent than to recover.
Consider transferring to another department or reduce the
workload, if possible. In fact, this may be the VERY
opportunity you need to take a look at ALL aspects of your
work situation. Is your workplace competitive or cooperative?
An atmosphere of competition will create stress and tension.
Whereas, an atmosphere of cooperation will create relaxation
and harmony. Perhaps its time to contemplate a career change?
Those of you who feel "stuck" in the 9-5 world - are you
waking up dreading going somewhere you'd rather not be, doing
something you'd rather not do? Without quitting your present
job, you might consider network marketing as a viable way to
start your own business. This business can be launched on a
part-time basis right from where you area with a very small
investment. For additional information, please see:
"Attitude", "Relationships" and "Suggested Reading."
End of file.