Laptop-itis & How to Avoid It
Laptop Woes
I work from home and one of the best parts of that {besides wearing pajamas all day if I want}, is being able to work in the comfort of my own home. There are numerous disadvantages, too, such as MANY distractions and the poor ergonomic choices I am prone to make because I like my couch. It is with this in mind that I share some laptop-itis woes and how to avoid them.
First, laptop-itis is a silly way of saying the ills and injuries that accompany laptop use. While laptops are made to be used on laps and in any location, that type of use typically encourages poor posture and positions that are not ergonomically ideal. For instance, when your laptop is on your actual lap, the screen is inches below your eye line, which then forces you to drop your head to see it. The result is neck strain.
Laptop-itis & How to Avoid It
Now, let’s take a few minutes to lay out some helpful tips for using your laptop ergonomically.
Dock your laptop whenever possible. It’s fine to do a few emails or tweets on your lap {on the couch, ahem}, but in general, you should do the bulk of your computing at a desk which allows for better positioning of both your equipment and your body.- When using any computer {laptops included}, your body should form 90-degree angles at the elbows, knees, and hips. This is best accomplished with an ergonomic chair which is adjustable and provides good back support.
- Tilt the screen and/or raise it so that you never bend your neck to see it.
- Use an ergonomic mouse and keyboard. Again, short periods with the touch pad and laptop keyboard are fine, but for long periods of use, you should use a separate keyboard and mouse that allow you to dock your laptop and still be able to use it. That said, your keyboard and mouse should be centered and side-by-side and allow for neutral positioning of your wrist.
- Take breaks- yes, stretch breaks and coffee breaks, but also eye breaks. Literally stop what you’re doing and blink to restore moisture. Some find it helpful to focus on a far away object to regain focus and avoid eye strain.
It may seem like a pain to dock your laptop and add an ergonomic keyboard or mouse, but pain is exactly what we’re trying to avoid! Just by being more purposeful in how you use your laptop can help you avoid repetitive stress in juries, such as Carpal Tunnel.