If you spend a big part of your day using technology, be it working from your computer, sending texts and emails on your smartphone, or using controllers or tablets to play games or communicate, there’s a good chance that all of these repetitive physical movements could prove to be damaging to you over time. Luckily, with a little knowledge and training, you can keep your body safe from a lot of the harm that otherwise would befall you as a result of using technology. To show you just how you can do this, here are three ways you can protect your body from tech-related injuries.
Use Proper Posture
When you’re using technology, or really when you’re doing any type of task or activity, using proper posture is going to be one of the best ways you can protect your body and keep your muscles, joints, and limbs safe. Depending on the type of tech you’re using, the exact areas of your body that you should be concerned with regarding your posture will vary. According to Better Health Channel, when you’re sitting at a computer, you should have your monitor at eye level, your elbows should be parallel with the floor, your feet should be flat, your spine should be rounding only to its natural curve, and your hands and wrist should be in their most natural position. If this isn’t the image of your current posture while you sit at your desk, consider making some changes so you can get closer to this ideal.
Give Your Fingers A Break
For almost every piece of technology that you use on a daily basis, your hands and fingers are going to be involved in some way. However, just because you naturally have to use your hands and fingers doesn’t mean that the hardware of most tech was designed to fit with you as naturally as possible. Because of this, Maria Masters, a contributor to Health.com, advises that you give your hands and fingers as many breaks as you can to avoid straining them. Even if you just lift your hands or fingers off the hardware you’re using for a few seconds every few minutes, you’ll be able to keep your digits from straining too much over time.
Protect Your Eyes
When using technology, you’re almost always going to have to look at a screen in order to know what you’re doing with your hands or fingers. And while you need to have the screen lit up so you can see what you’re doing, this light can also be very damaging to your eyes. To keep from straining your eyes too much, Bahar Gholipour, a contributor to Live Science, suggests that you move your screen as far away from your direct eye line as you can while still being able to function. Also, try using anti-glare screen protectors that will dilute some of the light.
To keep you from injuring or straining your body as a result of all the tech you’re using, consider implementing some of the tips mentioned above that will protect your body.