Spending countless hours using a computer puts a physical strain on the body. Incorrect computer posture can lead to permanent injury to the neck, back, shoulders and eyes.
Instructions
1. Sit in a chair that is placed right in front of the keyboard. The have a support to protect your back and spine from injury. You may place a pillow between your back and the back of the chair if you can't comfortably sit at a 90-degree angle. Also, your chair should provide enough support to allow your thighs to rest horizontally while your knees are positioned at a right angle. Be sure that the back of your knees are not touching the chair. Rest your feet flat on the floor.
2. Position your head to assure that your eyes are approximately 20 inches from the monitor. Also, adjust your monitor so that your eyes are even with the top of your screen's display. If you find yourself leaning in to see the screen better, consider adjusting the size of the displayed text. To do this, select the view menu at the top of your screen, then select "text size" and adjust it accordingly.
3. Place your hands on your keyboard, ensuring elbows form right angles. Consider using a pad to rest your wrists. This will relieve some of the stress on your wrists while you are typing.
4. Look away from approximately every 10 minutes. Your eyes will need to rest to avoid damage to your vision. Also, be sure that you have adequate lighting in the room where you are working. Don't rely solely on the light provided by your monitor.
5. Take frequent breaks, allowing your muscles to move freely. Sitting in the same position for extended periods leads to muscle stiffness and other physical problems. Most computers have clocks that you can use to monitor the time that you work on your computer. Also, consider downloading a free alarm clock widget for your desktop that you can set to alert you when it's time for a break.
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