How computers affect our health

Can you remember the last day when you haven’t used your computer? Or the last week when you didn’t touch the keyboard? I’m pretty sure you can’t, as computers entered our lives fast and we are now used to use them every day.
All this sounds ok, but I’m guessing you don’t know what health problems we are exposed to if we use computers too much. A few weeks ago I’ve came across a short list of health problems caused by a geek lifestyle, but I didn’t had time to tell you about them, till today.
The effects of extensive computer usage have been long debated, and studies have shown various long-term and short-term health problems attributable to excessive computer usage. Imagine that you work 8 hours a day 5 days a week in front of a PC. If you are not taking care of your health like giving breaks frequently while working, doing a little exercise daily, taking long walks or running at least once a week then do not think that your health will stay with you forever.
Using the computer once a day for health purposes increased symptoms of depression, but using the computer to communicate with friends and family decreased symptoms of depression.
Many people suffer from structural problems related to the physical stress of sitting incorrectly, or for too long in front of their computers. So there are chances you’ve experienced a fair amount of computer stress, from minor frustrations here and there to a virtual visit to computer hell.
So, let’s take them one by one:

• Sleep disorders – insomnia or often awakening during the nights. Cause is frequent use on PC or laptop right after you wake up. Resolution is pretty simple, don’t lay in bad working, just do something that doesn’t stimulate your brain too much.
• Headaches – often caused by improper environment surrounding computer use. Check your screen position, room lighting, chair, glasses.
• Back pain – caused by improper chair sitting position and prolonged absence of back muscles exercises
• Poor attention span – that’s very interesting. We are used to do multitasking, working with different programs at the same time and being concentrated on several points on the screen, when feedback is expected. When we are facing only one task, we get bored faster, we can’t concentrate enough on the singular task. Meetings, when you have to be focus on the discussion is a killer. There isn’t too much you can do to correct this, as your brain takes longer to learn another work pattern.

Instructions
things you’ll need:

• Computer
• Chair
• Keyboard
• Mouse with mouse pad

1. Check the height of your desk for proper monitor placement. Your monitor should be at a height that avoids eyestrain. It should also not be set too close or far away, or too high or low. Try various positions until you find the one that works best for you.
2. Check your chair next. If you spend a lot of time in it, you should be sure it is comfortable and safe. The height should allow you to have both feet comfortably on the floor in front of you. It is suggested that you use a chair that provides the proper back support also. If you have armrests on your chair, check that they are set to allow your arms to rest on them naturally when you are using the keyboard.
3. Your keyboard should also be a safe (health conscious) height that is easily accessible. Your arms should bend at the elbow, and extend over the keyboard. You should be able to freely move over the keys.
4. The mouse pad you use should be within easy reach of the keyboard. You have a lot of options when it comes to getting mouse pads. The mouse should have plenty of room to move quickly in all directions.
5. When you are setting up your computer area, place all items that will be used often close by. This includes scanners, copiers, printers and so forth.

• Check your posture now! If you are stretching, this could cause problems. Neck and shoulder problems also result from poor seating and the poor organization of equipment on the desk.

• Take a brief break at least every hour, more or less. You should spend at least ten minutes away from your desk during this time. Get up and walk around, or at least stretch. If you can, do some type of physical exercise to keep your blood circulating. High levels of stress can kill you, don’t make mistakes! Taking frequent breaks is an important step in preventing repetitive computer stress injuries.

• The mouse pad you use should be within easy reach of the keyboard. You have a lot of options when it comes to getting mouse pads. Your keyboard should also be a safe (health conscious) height that is easily accessible. Your arms should bend at the elbow, and extend over the keyboard.

• Check your chair. If you spend a lot of time in it, you should be sure it is comfortable and safe. Try various positions until you find the one that works best for you. The height should allow you to have both feet comfortably on the floor in front of you. It is suggested that you use a chair that provides the proper back support also.

As the number of computer users and the amount spent in front of it increase, it is certain to experience some undesired consequences like health problems. Headaches, waist aches, ankle and joint aches and similar health problems can be given as examples.
As you can see, I’ve said “we” several times, as I consider myself an intensive computer user, with more than 10 hours a day of online time. Maybe future will solve those kind of health problems, but I’m not counting on it. I’m now trying to figure out a lifestyle that gets me enough time with my beloved computers without putting my life in danger. What do you think? Do you manage to escape the terrible force of online existence?