Work Station and Physical Health

Today a large number of the workforce has to operate computers for a considerable duration of their work hours. This means sitting at our work stations for a considerably long time. Such long hours of sedentary work leads to many problems affecting our physical structure and health. Recent efforts made by large number of giant firms to analyze such effects and find path-breaking solutions for them have shed more light on the importance of correct usage of workstation. Due to ever increasing hours before the computers various types of medical and physical strains affect your overall physical and mental well-being.

There are several practices which can help you work comfortably at your computer workstation for hours.

Keep it tidy: Keep your computer workstation desktop tidy relieves a lot of stress and has a positive psychological effect as well on your overall mental and physical health.

Frequent breaks: As we have to work continuously for long hours on the PCs it is best to take short breaks frequently, for every hour take four to five minutes break; look away from the monitor or look at something soothing also get and take a quick walk around the office.

Proper computer workstation Positioning: Most of the time ill positioning of computer peripherals is the major cause behind the many physical ailments or stress resulting from long hours of work in front of the computer workstation. The monitor should be placed at the eye level, if it is not then prop it up with a stand of maybe a couple of books. Also the monitor should be flicker free to reduce stress on your eyes. In case of flickering try using degauss function on the monitor or talk about it to your employer or others responsible for it. Secondly try to minimize glare from lights and other shimmy objects on the monitor as much as possible.

The keyboard also plays a major part in many problems arising out of the working at the computer workstation. While working with keyboards and mouse always try to keep your wrists from bending awkwardly, to help you in this try using a wrist support. Also keep your elbows below your shoulder while working with keyboards or mouse.

Seating mistakes which Affect Physical Health: A properly aligned seat reduces stress on back, shoulders and other important joints. Try to keep your knees in line with your hips. Now for your back; always keep your back straight while working and ensure proper support is there for that position. If there isn’t then prop a towel or pillow behind your back and adjust until you find the correct arrangement and then adjust your chair accordingly.

Keep all these points in mind and have a great time working on your computer workstation as you will find out slowly that reducing stress on your body while working increases your working capability gets you that elusive raise.

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