Back pain stinks.  Whether it’s from an injury or just chronic achiness, no one enjoys a stiff or painful back.  Did you know that 8 out of 10 adults experience lower back pain, over 50% of whom will experience at least one more episode, and that it is the 5th leading reason people see a doctor?  Some common forms of this back pain is a sharp, sudden pain or, conversely, a dull ache that is hard to trace.  For some, the pain shoots down a leg or worsens at night when lying down.  Most people report that their back pain is not the result of a specific injury or illness.  This leads us to believe that most back pain is caused by life style and habits.

What are some of the main causes of back pain?

There are probably a thousand different ways you could hurt your back.  However, there are a few general causes we can pin point.

• Muscle strain

• Spasm

• Ligament sprain

• Joint problems

• Herniated disk (aka slipped disk)

• Unusual activities that put strain on your back
How do I deal with my back pain?

Ruling out an actual injury, think about what you have been doing the past few days or weeks that could have caused strain on your back.  If there have been any unusual activities, such as moving furniture or playing a sport or starting a new exercise routine, then that may just be it.  Try to stretch your back and rest it for a few days and see if the pain diminishes.  If the pain persists, call your doctor.  It may be a hassle to schedule a visit, but your back is worth it.  Don’t take any chances.

Back pain is common and a leading reason for visiting the doctor.  Review your recent life style and changes you have made to see if they are contributing factors to your back pain.

{photo credit}

Filed under: Category Uncategorized | Tags: back pain by emily
Comments Off

What is SAD?

Seasonal Affective Disorder, often referred to as SAD, is a seasonal form of depression that happens during the shorter days of winter.  While SAD can affect anyone, and does affect up to 20% of the US population, it is usually more severe for those in living in farther north or in higher altitudes.  That’s because there is even less sunlight the farther north and higher up you go.

What are the Symptoms of SAD?

Seasonal Affective Disorder manifests in feelings of depression, increased fatigue and sleep, feelings of anxiety, etc.  It’s no fun.

How Can I treat SAD?

There are a couple of ways to treat Seasonal Affective Disorder.

Medications.  Talk to a doctor and see what (s)he prescribes.  Some meds are successful, others are not, and there are certain side effects. It’s up to you if you want to go the route of medication- again, speak to your doctor before deciding one way or another.

Waiting It Out.  Since SAD is seasonal, the feelings of depression will subside once spring comes.  However, November through February can be a dreary waiting time as you fight to feel normal.

Natural Remedies.  One of the simplist natural remedies is light therapy. Light therapy involves purchasing a special light which replicates the rays of the sun. The person suffering from SAD sits in front of this light with their eyes open. This light is not found in normal incandescent household lights, and must be purchased exclusively for this type of therapy.  The light can be moved from room to room or even taken to the office.  A great bonus for light therapy is that it can be bought over the counter and does not have side effects.

Whatever type of therapy you decide to try in your battle against Seasonal Affective Disorder, it is important to keep in mind that it is treatable. Light therapy is one of the most straightforward and natural solutions for people who suffer from this disorder.

Filed under: Category Uncategorized | Tags: light therapy,SAD,seasonal affective disorder by emily
Comments Off

Looking for a great Christmas gift for that hard to shop for someone in your life?

1. Make lists and prioritize daily.  Make a to-do list of activities you must compete for the holidays.  This list should be specific and date oriented. For example, instead of listing “get for the Christmas party at my house”, break down each aspect of your party with a target date for completion.  The more specific your tasks, the better. Making a general list sets you up to leave something out. Always set the dates early so you’re not in a frenzy to get the task complete.  Review and update your list on a daily basis.
2. *Shop online.  A lot of time is spent driving all over town as you shop.  Make your shopping list early.  Almost anything on your list can be found online. Sit down one evening, take your list, get focused only on shopping, and begin. You’ll be amazed just how much shopping you can get done in only one evening.
3. Make time for yourself. Even if it is only one or two hours per week, take time for yourself.  Make a list of things you’d like to do that relax and refresh you. Read a book.  Get a massage. Watch a movie.  Whatever it takes to clear your mind and refresh you… do it!  You’ll be rewarded with more energy and a peaceful attitude.
4. Don’t over-commit.  During the holiday season there are lots of things to do and many organizations and groups clamoring for your time. Choose your activities wisely and commit only to the ones you consider most important. Otherwise you’ll be anxious for the holidays to be over so you can get some rest.

*Shopping online can be one of the best things you do for others and for yourself.  You avoid the lines, the driving, and the stress by staying in the comfort of your own bed.

Thus,  I have a two-pronged approach for shopping this year: 1) Why not ask some  friends or family members you share with the receiver to go in on a better, more practical gift?  2)  Why not order that gift online?  Just for fun, here are 3 top bundled gifts that are sure to please and are easy to afford when there are several people going in on it.

3 bundled gifts for under the tree

Filed under: Category Uncategorized | Tags: Christmas,ergonomic bundles,ergonomic gifts,holiday tips,holidays by emily
Comments Off

What are giving yourself for Christmas?

Last time we talked about some great ergonomic gifts for those special people in your life.  Why not find something for yourself, too?  Don’t be greedy or selfish, but there’s no reason not to make your life a little more comfortable, too.  Plus, if someone like a spouse or parent asks what you want for Christmas, why not get what you really want?

Guilt-free Gifts

Shopping for yourself can be tricky because you feel guilty about buying things for yourself.  However, we’re talking about ergonomic comfort- not diamonds or sports cars.  The idea is to guard your health and improve your productivity without your body taking the hit.  What’s a better gift than good health??  Work-related stress and strain are way too frequently occurring for comfort (pun intended).  Some of the common culprits leading to work-related injuries are poor posture and poor ergonomic habits.  Thus, here are some ergonomic gifts for you that will help you minimize the strain you feel from day-to-day computer use, both at work and at home.

• An ergonomic keyboard.  Most hand and wrist injuries are a result of cocking wrists and other awkward typing positions.  An ergonomic keyboard is designed to keep your hands and wrists in proper placement comfortably and efficiently.
• Add an ergonomic mouse.  Similarly, your wrist twists awkwardly to use a standard mouse and your hand can also cramp from an ill-fitting one.  An ergonomic mouse, on the other hand, keeps everything in place and also for your hand much more comfortably.
• A wrist rest.  Wrist rests are ideal for resting the palms of your hand between periods of typing, and as an added bonus, are very affordable gifts.
• An ergonomic chair.  While a bit of an investment, being able to customize a chair to fit you exactly is fairly priceless, especially when you factor in all the back, shoulder, and neck aches and pains you can avoid.

Just by trying a few of the right tools, you can treat yourself to more comfort and less pain!  Happy holidays and happy typing!

Filed under: Category Uncategorized | Tags: Christmas,Christmas shopping,ergonomic gifts by emily
Comments Off

Christmas Gift-Giving without Feeling Stressed

A few posts back, we discussed 4 tips for avoiding holiday stress so you can actually enjoy the holiday season this year.  Check them out below for review:

4 Tips for Avoiding Holiday Stress

1. Make lists and prioritize daily.  Make a to-do list of activities you must compete for the holidays.  This list should be specific and date oriented. For example, instead of listing “get for the Christmas party at my house”, break down each aspect of your party with a target date for completion.  The more specific your tasks, the better. Making a general list sets you up to leave something out. Always set the dates early so you’re not in a frenzy to get the task complete.  Review and update your list on a daily basis.
2. Shop online.  A lot of time is spent driving all over town as you shop.  Make your shopping list early.  Almost anything on your list can be found online. Sit down one evening, take your list, get focused only on shopping, and begin. You’ll be amazed just how much shopping you can get done in only one evening.
3. Make time for yourself. Even if it is only one or two hours per week, take time for yourself.  Make a list of things you’d like to do that relax and refresh you. Read a book.  Get a massage. Watch a movie.  Whatever it takes to clear your mind and refresh you… do it!  You’ll be rewarded with more energy and a peaceful attitude.
4. Don’t over-commit.  During the holiday season there are lots of things to do and many organizations and groups clamoring for your time. Choose your activities wisely and commit only to the ones you consider most important. Otherwise you’ll be anxious for the holidays to be over so you can get some rest.

Top 5 Ergo Gifts

• 

  Ergo keyboard for comfort

  Ergonomic Keyboards: Give the gift of ergonomic comfort where they need it the most!  From small or large hands to lefties, ergonomic keyboards offer simply better lay-outs and fit for any hands.

• Ergonomic Mice: Another must-have for fit and ease of mousing with fewer cramps and strains.
• Portable lumbar support:  Instead of an expensive ergo chair, why not give the gift of back support?  That way whoever receives it can have the support they need wherever they are!
• Mouse/Hand Warmer Pouch: Offices can be cold- this is a comfortable, affordable, practical gift for that can’t stay warm friend who wears 2 sweaters to work.
• Energy-Saver Power Strip:  Have a green family member or friend who loves the environment as much as he loves saving money?  This super-practical gift will keep on giving as it saves energy and money.

Ergonomic gifts are truly the best for the hard to shop for or the practical individual…but truly, anyone can enjoy and appreciate a comfortable gift.

Filed under: Category Uncategorized | Tags: Christmas,ergonomic gifts,holidays,stress by emily
Comments Off

There is not a time I love more than the holidays!  Thanksgiving is time for eating and sharing with family, while for Christmas, we celebrate the birth of our Savior.  Even for those who aren’t Christians, Christmas is a special time off work and with family and friends.  Regardless of how you spend your holidays, it’s usually a pleasurable, fun-to-anticipate time….except when it isn’t!!  Unfortunately, we usually have 15 parties to attend, kids’ programs to see, church activities to be a part of, shopping to do, all the while keeping up with the normal hustle and bustle of everyday life.  Thus, if you struggle with work stress anyway, bringing on this much extra activity can be quite debilitating.

Here are 4 simple tips for avoiding holiday stress this year- even for the next few weeks as you’re tying up loose ends!!

4 Tips for Avoiding Holiday Stress

1. Make lists and prioritize daily.  Make a to-do list of activities you must compete for the holidays.  This list should be specific and date oriented. For example, instead of listing “get for the Christmas party at my house”, break down each aspect of your party with a target date for completion.  The more specific your tasks, the better. Making a general list sets you up to leave something out. Always set the dates early so you’re not in a frenzy to get the task complete.  Review and update your list on a daily basis.
2. Shop online.  A lot of time is spent driving all over town as you shop.  Make your shopping list early.  Almost anything on your list can be found online. Sit down one evening, take your list, get focused only on shopping, and begin. You’ll be amazed just how much shopping you can get done in only one evening.
3. Make time for yourself. Even if it is only one or two hours per week, take time for yourself.  Make a list of things you’d like to do that relax and refresh you. Read a book.  Get a massage. Watch a movie.  Whatever it takes to clear your mind and refresh you… do it!  You’ll be rewarded with more energy and a peaceful attitude.
4. Don’t over-commit.  During the holiday season there are lots of things to do and many organizations and groups clamoring for your time. Choose your activities wisely and commit only to the ones you consider most important. Otherwise you’ll be anxious for the holidays to be over so you can get some rest.

Work stress is enough- adding holiday stress is too much!  To avoid stress this year, follow these four simple tips.

Filed under: Category Uncategorized | Tags: Christmas,holidays,stress,Tips by emily
Comments Off

On Being Thankful

What are you thankful for today?

I am thankful for a number of things…some are quite big and some are quite small actually, but they’re all things that matter to me and make my life what it is.  I am so glad to be married to a wonderful godly man who cherished me and our children.  I am thankful for our 3 children, including the brand new baby girl we just brought home!  I am thankful that even though I live overseas, I can stay in touch with my family and that I have a new set of friends and “family” in Scotland.  I am thankful that I can stay home and take care of our small children and still work online for a fabulous company.  I am thankful for the skills and tools I have learned from them and the way they have enhanced my own life and not just my bank account.

On that note, I’d like to say thank you to Ergonomics Made Easy, who have employed me for over 2 years from the comfort of my own home. I have learned so much about the ergonomic world, what ergonomics actually is as a concept and practice, and why it matters.  I have changed my own habits and routines as a result if what I’ve learned, and I’ve consequently enjoyed better health.

Not only is EME a great company full of productivity-boosting, injury-reducing products, they’re also honest and integrity-driven.  Those are words that get thrown around a lot, but since I actually know the people who send me my check, I can truly speak to their commitment to what is right.  They are dedicated to customer satisfaction and to doing right by people.  That’s pretty rare these days.  I guess it’s why they hired me: a stay-at-home mom.  They offered me the chance to supplement my husband’s income while enabling me the opportunity of a life time to stay home with my kids.

So, thank you to Ergonomics Made Easy- your products, your customer service, and your integrity deserve a special shout-out this Thanksgiving week.

Filed under: Category Uncategorized | Tags: ergonomics,Thanksgiving by emily
Comments Off

A Time for Thanks

This is the week to review and reflect upon what we’re thankful for, both big and small.  Today, I’m going to share some simple things that just make life easier.  Next time, I’ll go a little deeper and show thanks for something much larger.

Before I get into some of my favorite and most beloved ergonomic products, let’s start with ergonomics in general.  Maybe it’s that I’m getting older or that I just had my third child….or that I’m just way smarter than I used to be.  Either way, I have come to respect ergonomics and in a way I never used to.  There’s something about being young and feeling invincible that makes you think you can do whatever you want whenever you want and not suffer consequences.  You would scoff at people struggling to get off the floor and their aching knees…and then all of a sudden, you find yourself in the same position with your own bewildered children staring on.  You find yourself, or at least I did, starting to realize that there are limits for the human body and taking care of it is a matter of importance.  So, that;s why I’m thankful for these products- they have made life easier and more comfortable for millions of Americans, myself included.

Top Ergo Products to Be Thankful For

Happy Thanksgiving Week!  What are you thankful for?

Filed under: Category Uncategorized | Tags: ergonomic products,light therapy,mobile stand,presentation keyboard by emily
Comments Off

Shoulder pain is a frustrating and debilitating part of many people’s lives.  While some have suffered a specific injury, such as car accident or sports injury, others have no idea what caused the pain and why they’re experiencing it still.  While a physical injury or accident is a legitimate source of shoulder pain for some, a more common explanation is poor posture and/or a simple repetitive stress injury from hours of misuse at work.  It’s not that anyone knowingly strains his or her shoulder(s), but even sitting with bad posture over time can cause serious soreness.  Check out the following tips for avoiding shoulder injury in the first place and for lessening its occurrence in your everyday life.

Tips for Avoiding Shoulder Pain

Ergonomic Principle: Never let your arm get out of your sight.

• In the car, this means no reaching behind you to the backseat!  Not for your purse, your briefcase, your phone, that thing you just dropped, or the millions of things your kids drop every day.  Reaching behind you without also turning your entire torso around is a leading cause of torn rotator cuffs.  Thus, it’s important to eliminate this movement all together by keeping essential items within easy front seat reach and training your children to ask for things while you are stopped and can turn your body, too.  It takes time to develop these habits, but they’re worth it!

• At the gym or when exercising, make sure you warm up and cool down properly.  Good stretching and a slow start and finish to your work-out will help you not strain your shoulder, or any other muscle, tendon, or joint for that matter.  Your overall health is worth a few extra minutes of stretching.
• When working, practice good ergonomics.  Instead of warming up and cooling down, take stretch breaks in which you slowly and gently stretch out tight muscles, including your arms and shoulders.  Additionally, remember not to over-extend your reach when grabbing things from your desk, printer, or briefcase.  Move your entire body to reach it if it’s too far. Lastly, certain ergonomic products, such as an adjustable ergonomic chair or keyboard and mouse, are great for maintaining good posture that will will help you avoid repetitive stress injuries.  They are well-made and designed for comfort and minimal movement so that your body stays healthy.  The key is adjustability so you can find the best fit for you.
• If you already are experiencing shoulder pain, try to avoid whatever actions cause the pain.  You can also apply heat or cold, but not directly on the skin and only for 10-15 minutes at a time.  Rotating between the two is best.  If the pain continues, talk to a doctor about your options and if there’s a med you can take.

Shoulder pain can occur at any time and is usually the result of an injury or a repetitive stress injury at work.  Try these tips to avoid and lessen shoulder pain.

Filed under: Category Uncategorized | Tags: ergonomic keyboard,ergonomic mouse,shoulder pain,tips for avoiding shoulder pain by emily
Comments Off

Last time we talked about timeless ergonomic principles for setting up an ergonomic work station, as well as some ergonomic tools for meeting those principles.  The basic premise is to minimize movement and strain and maximize productivity by reducing distraction.  I supplied some tips and tools for setting up an ideal work station.  Today, I thought we’d look at a graduate student’s actual set-up to see what he had going for him, as well as where he could improve.

Ergonomic Work Station Set-Up Principles

This is an actual student’s graduate office set-up.  I would like to reiterate from my last post that many, many offices {including this university!} have Human Relations reps who will perform an ergonomic assessment for you, and based on the results, supply some or all of the missing ergonomic tools.  There is nothing to lose by asking!

Filed under: Category Uncategorized | Tags: document holder,ergonomic keyboard,ergonomic tips,ergonomic work station,eye strain,wrist rest by emily
Comments Off