Better Typing Habits

Whether we’re information workers or just play around online, most of us spend quite a bit of time  at a computer and using a keyboard and mouse. As such, it’s important to employ good typing principles forbetter habits for staying healthy and pain-free while tying.

1. Rearrange your keyboard and mouse. You keyboard should be resting just below the height of your elbows, about one or two inches above your lap. In addition, the space bar should be centered in front of you so you can keep your arms and shoulders relaxed while typing.  It will also help lower the risk of repetitive stress injury. For easy and quick adjustment, try a keyboard tray for your keyboard and mouse.
2. Listen to your mother: sit up! Good posture is the key to fast, stress-free typing. Adjust your chair to provide proper support and encourage good posture. An ergonomic chair is ideal, of course.  However, an even easier addition is adjustable lumbar support. In addition to better ergonomic products, be sure you keep your arms and shoulder relaxed and keep your wrists straight; your arms and hands should form a straight line from your elbow through your wrist and down to your middle finger.
3. Keep your hands in position. First, instead of clenching your hands or, conversely, reaching too much for keys, let your hands hover over the keys while you are typing.  Second, never rest directly on your wrists. Instead, between keystrokes you can rest your arms on the ball of your hands, but never put weight directly of the sensitive carpal tunnel area of your wrist. Lastly, keep your hands and fingers curved, like you are holding a golf ball. Be especially careful that you don’t allow your littlest finger or your thumb to lock straight. All of these “rules” will keep you from straining or injuring the muscles and tendons.
4. Press the keys lightly. The keys are your friends, not your enemies: there is no need to pound on them. You can save significant energy and muscle wear by using as little pressure as possible.
5. Never reach for a key. If your hands are properly floating over the keys, it is easy to move your entire hand and arm to reach the higher keys. Also, always use two hands for two-key combos. If you use your Shift key (or Ctrl or Alt) with an additional key, press the Shift key with one hand and the second key with the opposite hand. By stretching to press higher keys or straining to use one hand on two keys, you add incredible wear on your muscles and tendons.  Ergonomic keyboards are ideal for better positioning of your hands and wrists.

These simple rules may seem restrictive and feel unnatural at first, but they are vital in protecting yourself from injury. Practice them for a few weeks and you are sure to notice a difference because even little changes in your posture and habits can make a huge impact in your keyboarding health.