By: Oleda Baker
YOUR COMPUTER AND YOUR HEALTH
The computer has changed the world…but it can also change our health. There are various health hazards attached to using a computer over a period of time. Some of these health problems are not easy to correct after the fact…. but the good news is – they are very preventable beforehand.
If you spend a lot of time at a computer, the height of your screen and chair, the lighting in the room and, yes, if you use a PC, as I do, even the position of the box nearby can affect your body and health… both inside and out.
Most people don’t think about their posture while sitting at a computer. We buy a computer, – plop it down on our desk, and then plop down in the chair without thinking of the height of either. You should!
Some of the problems associated with poor computer posture over long periods of time might be neck pain, back pain, sore muscles, digestive problems, permanent bone changes that could lead to loss of flexibility, muscle strains, spinal problems, decreased lung capacity, digestive problems, eye strain and dry, tired eyes. Now I bet you are listening!
Here’s how to make your work station fit YOUR body height and size while sitting so that you are not straining or slouching.
My Personal Story: I learned to use a computer only a few years ago. For whatever reason I did not want to learn…wow … now I’m so happy I got smart about it! To be honest, I was shamed into it by my 6-year-old grandson, when he told me he could teach me how to use one!
But, before becoming a cyber aficionado, I didn’t know what it was to have a neck pain. I became tense and strained… my head was always pointed downward at the computer screen and keyboard. (My neck muscles had to strain to hold my head up.) My neck and shoulders sometimes ached for days. I thought about it – recognized the cause of my distress and set out to “fix” the problem.
The average human head weighs 10 to 12 pounds. However, if you are constantly bending your head forward in poor posture, you can be exerting as much as 30 pounds of pressure on your neck and upper spine. Think of the damage that can cause over time.
As a test, I raised my computer screen 9 inches by placing it on some books. Then, when I looked at the screen my eyeballs were level with its center … I no longer had to constantly look down, I was holding my neck in a straight, relaxed position without straining. You can also compensate by lowering your chair…I’m tall so I adjusted my chair to its lowest position.
That’s not all I did: Since I have to look down at the keyboard when I type (I’m not a touch-typist) my head was still bent down to be able to see the Keys. So….I raised the keyboard about 4 inches with more books. I could then see the keyboard just by diverting my eyes…not my head…what a difference. You won’t believe me until you try it. I have since had permanent platforms built for both the keyboard and screen.
If you use a laptop for long sessions, I suggest you look into raising it to eye level and using a separate keyboard. I shudder when I see people slouched over any computer.
I keep a small pillow in my chair and put it in the middle of my back just above my waistline to keep my back straight …feels wonderful too.
Bad posture or slouching is the most common cause of kyphosis whereby the shoulders are held forward and the head protrudes out front. This causes the muscles in the back to become tight and weak, resulting in other health problems such as back pain, headaches, and fatigue.
There’s More… The Computer Fan Test
Another problem caused by frequent computer use is dry or itchy eyes, which most people ascribe to staring into the screen too long, which could be true, and it might also be exacerbated by poor lighting in the room or a light bulb behind you glaring in the screen. If you brighten up the room a little, the brightness of your computer screen won’t be as stark and the effect will be diffused. Lastly, this can also be happening due to an issue with your eyesight, so don’t hesitate to go see a doctor to get an eye exam to be safe, if the problem persists.
But there’s another, more subtle, cause of dry and itchy eyes, at least for me, and maybe for you, too. If you use a PC, take a look behind the tower or box where all the in and out plugs are. Listen to the computer’s cooling fan blowing, circulating warm, dry air continuously. You can feel it, maybe even smell it. That air is soft and seemingly harmless, but it is not. It is another source of eye problems.
I corrected the problem by taping a plastic sheet under my desk from one side to the other between my chair and the tower. Now the air cannot flow up from under my desk to my eyes. What a difference…no more strained or burning eyes for me! However, if you are still having eye problems, then you might want to visit a local eye doctor for eye health exams and eye disease treatments.
I know…for someone who just learned to use a computer a few years ago I sure do have a lot to say about it…I agree…but I hope it helps.
Until next time,
Love, Oleda
See you on facebook.
Biography
Oleda Baker, now 76 began her career as a high fashion model with the prestigious Wilhelmina Model Agency, in New York City. She is the author of ten books on beauty, health and anti-aging and one novel Reluctant Goddess. Oleda is founder and CEO of Oleda and Company, Inc., her 38-year-old anti-aging products company for skin, hair, diet, energy, nutritional supplement products and special makeup. www.oleda.com . Her latest book, “BREAKING THE AGE BARRIER Great Looks and Health at Every Age,” is due out mid-Oct 2010. Oleda is also a visionary artist. Her oil paintings have been exhibited in museums and galleries around the country, the latest one last year at the Museum of Florida Art, DeLand. www.oledaart.com.
Ms. Baker can be reached at oleda@oleda.com.