3 Tips To Reduce Strain On Your Body From Staring At A Computer All Day

So many people have jobs where they spend a huge portion of their day using technology like computers, laptops, tablets, and smartphones. And while these devices have all made modern life much more convenient, they also can cause physical, mental, and emotional problems that no one anticipated. Luckily, there are plenty of things you can do to ensure that you’re able to keep yourself healthy and minimize the negative impacts of these little supercomputers. To show you how this can be done, here are three tips for reducing the strain on your body that can be caused by staring at a computer screen all day long.

Protect Your Eyes

In order to use your devices effectively, you have to be looking at it the entire time. But because of the way these screens work, they can make your eye particularly susceptible to damage and strain from the backlight and brightness associated with them. Additionally, focusing on small text in a small area can mess with your vision. So to ensure that you’re able to protect your eyes appropriately, Dr. Alan Hedge, a contributor to SpineUniverse.com, recommends that you get your vision checked regularly, work to improve the image quality of the things you’re viewing on your screen, and reduce glare by using special glasses or screen protectors.

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Use External Accessories

Using these small devices can also put a lot of strain on the muscles and joints in your hands, arms, neck, and shoulders. Especially if you do the same repetitive movements over and over again each day, the stress of these motions can be very harmful to your body. To combat this, Harvard Medical School recommends that you use external accessories for your devices whenever possible. This includes using a detached mouse, external keyboard, and a headset when applicable. While this means you’ll have more items on your desk, they’ll all help to keep you from overworking sensitive areas of your body.

Have Better Posture When Seated

We’ve all heard how standing while working at a desk can be very helpful to your health. However, most people can’t comfortably stand for eight hours a day while at work. So when the time comes for you need to sit down to work, Dr. William A. Morrison, a contributor to Healthline.com, advises that you be more cognizant of your seated posture. To have proper posture when sitting at a desk, you’ll want to be sure that your feet are firmly on the ground, your lower back is supported, your wrists and hands are in line with your supported elbows, and your neck and shoulders are relaxed.

If you’ve noticed areas of your body that feel strained after working on your computer, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you reduce this physical stress caused by your use of technology.