Ergo...what? Ergonomics!

Hi All,

Just wanted to mix it up yet again...I know how much I sit at the computer and well, compute. I can't imagine how much time teens, YA's and other folk sit at a terminal!

Imagine all those teenagers playing games or attorneys (writing briefs or doing research) or computer programmers (slinging computer code) or just regular folks and how much time they spend on the computer (checking email, surfing the web, shopping online)?

Click on this link from the Mayo Clinic which discusses the health benefits of physical activity.

Click here for another link from the National Institute on Aging regarding physical activity and why it is so important - especially now that a large part of the population uses a computer in one or another.

Now think about how much time we spend on those computers.

Well, if you are going to use the computer at least have good posture...click on this link to see if your posture is good or bad while you use the computer.

You can always use the old '20-20-20 rule' as well. It states that every 20 minutes computer users would benefit if they got up and stretched. In addition computer users should give their eyes a break by looking at an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds after using the computer for an extended period of time. By looking away computer users eyes won't dry out as much and will 'refocus' on an object that isn't just a computer screen...give it a shot and see how it works.

Click on this link from the US Department of Labor which discusses workstations and how they should be set up for computer users. Interesting stuff - especially the diagrams which really help spell out the proper way to sit at a computer workstation.

Finally, click here for a funny anecdote from the late 1990's regarding a computer Help Desk Employee and a customer on the telephone. Methinks you'll think the story is amusing.


Take care.
Stu

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