How-To Guides

Is The PC A Silent Assassin?

By Saikat ⋅ July 1, 2008 ⋅  Email This Post ⋅ Post a comment

The personal computer is our best friend. To some, it is the proverbial genie in the lamp. Information wishes just a click away. Most of us cannot imagine a waking day without it, but perhaps it is time to put on the screensaver and think about the harm our computer habits may be wrecking on us.

The Problem - Repetitive Stress Injury.

Have you ever calculated the amount of time you spend in front of a computer screen? Working on your word processor, emailing or simply chatting. Some of the activities might even be fun, but the fact remains that our bodies crave variety. It is not designed for repetitive work like punching keys or just moving the mouse a millimeter. Repetitive Stress Injury (RSI) is a jargon most often bandied about when talking about computer induced problems. The common symptoms include inflamed joints and sore muscles. ‘Blackberry Thumb’ has entered the lexicon. A repetitive stress injury brought about by over use of the digit for typing. Made famous by the so named PDA device, the message remains the same for all repetitive typing activities.

The Solution - Take a break.

Walk away from the computer every hour or so. Walk up to the pretty colleague rather than buzzing her on the IM. Frequent breaks, breaks the monotony of the task and the body and fingers get the required bout of rest.

The Problem - Tipping the scales.

With the advent of mobile devices and remote access, human movement is at a premium. The world is just a click away so why bother to break a sweat. But recent research has indicated that for every six hours spent on our butts at a desk doubles the chances of our gaining weight. When the pounds stack up, heart disease and high blood pressure are not far behind.

The Solution - Move your butt.

Physical exercise. The bane of the sedentary and a boon for the aware. If you loathe the gym, avoid the elevator and take the stairs. Park your car a distance away and walk to it. Get a dog and go for a walk. Walk around the office. Watching our weight is the first pre-requisite for a healthy lifestyle.

The Problem - Toting the laptop.

In the 21st century we literally carry our work around with us. The whole paraphernalia of a laptop is a serious burden of nearly 8-10 pounds. The areas most under the pump are the shoulders and the back. We hardly ever realize it but carrying an uncomfortable weight rather sneakily brings along disorders like spondylitis. Did someone say that laptops are ‘portable’?

The Solution - Manage the weight.

Once you have bought it, you have to cope with it. Buy a bag which will evenly distribute the weight between two shoulders. Carry only essential articles with the laptop. If you don’t need to carry the laptop home, avoid it.

The Problem - Visual strain.

Let’s admit it…looking at a pretty girl’s eyes unblinkingly can make eternity seem like seconds. But unfortunately we do the same when staring at the computer monitors. Our eyes are designed to blink at a specific rate. This rate slows down when we are working on the computer and consequently it causes a perceptible strain. A dry eye, as lubrication gets hampered is a common phenomenon. Also, studies have shown that our eyes function best at a comfortable distance of 20 feet or more. Less is definitely more strenuous for the eyes.

The Solution - Look away.

For every hour spent staring at the monitor look away for 5-10 minutes. Become conscious about your blinking. Blinking is nature’s lubricating process. Splatter your face with water when you decide to take a break.

Assassin - seems to be such a harsh indictment for this wonderful invention. It takes just some timely managed health habits to make a hero out of an unintentional villain.

Tags: Computer, Injury, Occupational, stress