Efficiency just can’t be over-rated, especially at work.  We all love good short cuts and solid tips for faster, better output, but what you may have never realized is that even how you mouse affects your level of efficiency, too.  How?  First, wasted motions are wasted time.  Furthermore, poor mousing technique can lead to work-related injuries, such as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.  Here are a few tips to make sure you get the most out of your mouse with the least strain on your shoulder, arm, and wrist.

4 Tips for More Productive Mousing

Get the right kind of mouse.

One size fits all rarely works, and your mouse is no exception.  There are a variety of mice out there, releasing you from the standard-issued mouse or touchpad.  Most important in choosing an ergonomic mouse is to find one that fits your hand comfortably.  Here are a few good options:

• Heat Wave- warm fingers are happy fingers
• Renaissance- a joy stick hold
• Evoluent- a handshake hold
• Aerobic- a palm-down hold
• Contour- for just the right fit

Keep your mouse within reach.

You should never have to reach too far to get a hold of anything on your desk.  Your mouse, once again,is no excpetion.  In fact, it’s essential to your ergonomic health that you keep it tucked next to your keyboard.  In fact, may users have opted out of the traditional keyboard for a mini or left-handed keyboard to better enable this positioning and still maximize desk space.

Don’t grip too tightly.

Try out various holds and positions to make sure you’ve found the right grip. Gripping your mouse too hard can cause nerve damage.  Yikes- you don’t want that.  So, look for a comfortable grip that lets you move your mouse without making your fingers ache from holding too tight.

Mouse with your arm, not your hand.

Your elbows should be close to your upper body and you should mouse with your arm, not just your hand.  {Think of doing a sit-up.  It’s important to do the work with your abdominal muscles and not your back, neck, or arms.  In this case, make sure you use your arms to power the movements rather than your hands or wrists.}  Mousing with your arm will decrease strain to your hands and wrists.

Following these four tips will help you use your mouse more effectively and therefore increase your productivity and simultaneously decrease potential strain.