Ergonomically Correct Tips for Using Tech

Earlier this week we talked about the dangers of using electronics incorrectly over time. How bad posture and craned muscles, pains and other ailments could worsen simply from texting or watching TV the “wrong” way. With just a little bit of bodily awareness, however, you can easily reverse those bad habits and replace them with something more ergonomically correct.

Computer Work

When at the computer, make sure your elbows sit at a 90-degree angle. This will not only help you type faster, but create a better resting position for your arms. Feet should also be flat on the floor, with the screen slightly below your line of sight. (Usually this calls for a sliding keyboard tray or a monitor stand.) Wrist wrests, natural keyboards, etc. can also be great additions for the long-term typer.

Texting

Generally with texting, the bigger the screen, the better. Hands weren’t meant to squeeze and cramp into one tiny location – instead, spread them out as much as possible. iPhones can be turned horizontal to allow for bigger keys, and many Android phones have a pencil-like feature where users drag their pointer finger from one key to the next. 

Also be sure to sit upright and avoid a bending neck when looking to read each text. 

Watching TV

Depending on how much TV you watch per day, it’s a habit that can create a number of issues. If you’re a long-term watcher, keep your posture in check whether on the couch or with the help of a recliner. Stretching or moving during commercial breaks can also eliminate decreased body activity – physically and internally.

Tablets and eReaders

These devices may make reading easier, but they can also do a number on your neck. Watch your leaning or hunching posture when using these devices to avoid literal pains in the neck. It’s also a good idea to lower the screen brightness to avoid eye issues such as spots or desensitized retinas. (Learn more by talking with your eye doctor about potential dangers.) 

To keep on track with all your technology, remember these body-friendly tips each time you log on.

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Why it’s Important to Stay Ergonomically Correct with Electronics

As the public becomes more and more reliant on electronic-based entertainment, the way we react to tech has taken significant changes. While it can be hard to get through the day without a working cell phone or computer, there can be even more, less noticeable changes taking place. (Yes, some things are more important than a lousy Wi-Fi connection.) For instance, the way we use said technology. Because texting, talking on the phone, typing, and more are all a part of everyday life, they’re habits that can affect just how we move. Texting while hunched over (the most common pose) can cause pains in the neck, typing too long can cause carpal tunnel, and talking on the phone (usually while cradling the phone) might make you lean in an uncomfortable position.

But because these are habits – and usually come with an aspect of fun or multitasking – we rarely realize what or how we’re doing it. And while this might not sound like a big deal, when repeated, bad posture can have some serious consequences. This is especially true for those who are on their phones every single day for hours at a time. Soon side effects will begin to show, whether or not we can identify the culprit.

Rather than suffering from squinting eyes or strained backs, however, a simple fix can be found with ergonomics. (Or, though less likely, abstention.) By reducing the number of hours we spend on the phone each day, future pains or conditions can be eliminated before they have the change to develop into something more severe. 

When at the office, talk to your boss about any struggles or concerns that base from electronics. And while at home, consider more old-fashioned hobbies to replace those that come with a screen. 

Stay tuned for our upcoming post on ergonomically correct tech tips you can follow at home!

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