Number 253 - June 2004

Taking Breaks is Important!
by John R. Chait D.C., Sarasota PCUG, April 2004
The risk of problems associated with computer use depends more on the amount of time that one spends keyboarding without taking a break in one single session than on the total number of keyboarding sessions. You can regulate your own computer usage and that of your children in the following ways. Just remember that breaks and exercises need to be combined with good computer setup or posture for them to be of most help.    Eye Breaks: Looking at a computer screen for a while causes some changes in how the eyes work, causes you to blink less often, and exposes more of the eye surface to the air. Every 15 minutes you should briefly look away from the screen for a minute or two to a more distant scene, preferably something more that 20 feet away. This lets the muscles inside the eye relax. Also, blink your eyes rapidly for a few seconds. This refreshes the tear film and clears dust form the eye surface.    Micro-breaks: Most typing is done in bursts rather than continuously. Between these bursts of activity you should rest your hands in a relaxed, flat, straight posture.    Rest Breaks: Every 30 to 60 minutes you should take a brief rest break. During this break stand up, move around, and do something	else. Go get a drink of water, soda, tea, coffee, or whatever. This allows you to rest and exercise different muscles and youll feel less tired.    Ergonomic Software: Working at a computer can be hypnotic, and often you don't realize how long youve been working and how much youve been typing and using the mouse. Look for software that will run in the background and monitor how much youve been using the computer. It will prompt you to take a rest break at appropriate intervals, and it will suggest simple exercises. You can purchase this software or you can download simple versions that get the job done just as well.    Exercise Breaks: There are many quick stretching and gentle exercises that you can do to help relieve muscle fatigue. These should be done every 1 - 2 hours, depending on your needs.    Copyright 2003. Republished from the August 2003 issue of the Sarasota PC Monitor, the official monthly publication of the Sarasota Personal Computer Users Group, Inc. (SPCUG). John R. Chait D.C. is a practicing Chiropractor in Sarasota and is the SPCUG ergonomic consultant. As an avid computer enthusiast, Dr. Chait knows first hand how important proper interaction between the user and their PC can be. He stresses this in his ergonomic tips column and his lectures.
Number 253 - June 2004