Computers play a very important role in our lives. With a computer; you can get your job done, communicate with employers or family and friends through email, schedule meetings and plan deadlines among other things. You are, therefore, likely to spend a lot of time on your computer trying to get various tasks accomplished which might, in turn, cause fatigue. Below are five ways that will help you to lessen the fatigue that comes with working for long hours on your computer.
1. Find A Good Chair
If your plan is to be sitting down all day, then you must ensure that you are always comfortable. The best way of doing this is by finding the right chair. There are so many ideal chairs in the market with different features. You should, therefore, ensure that you carry out thorough research to find a chair that you will be comfortable with. You can do this by visiting stores that sell these kinds of chairs or by going through gaming chair reviews just to ensure that you do not end up with the wrong chair.
Make sure that you get a chair that has armrests for supporting your arms. A chair with a strong back support will help you maintain a good posture and healthy blood flow. Some people find kneeling chairs helpful to them as well. This is because they can take the pressure off your posterior and spread it out evenly through your legs. In general, an ergonomic chair with the right features should be enough to ensure that you always stay comfortable while working with your computer.
2. Take Short Breaks
See to it that you always take a few minutes from the computer every time you start feeling stiff. In case you are working from home, take a break to wash the dishes or fold your laundry. Taking a short yoga break also helps in stretching your muscles and clearing your head. This, in turn, enables you to regain your concentration. On the other hand, if you are working in an office where you might not get the opportunity to do such things, there are also other things you can do while on a short break. You can go grab a cup of coffee or take some time to sort through some paperwork while standing up. A simple thing as getting down the stairs and then back up can go a long way in getting your blood moving. However busy you might seem to be, it is very important to always take a few minutes off and let your body rest.
3. Avoid Straining Your Eyes
Prolonged exposure to your computer is likely to cause eye fatigue and discomfort. If you find yourself constantly staring at the computer without blinking your eyes, you are likely to get dry or watery eyes. If you expose your eyes to excessive strain, then you are also likely to develop Computer Vision Syndrome; that normally leads to itchy or burning eyes, blurred vision, and severe headaches. To prevent this, try looking at an object about 10 feet away for 10 seconds. Do not just stare at the object, but blink naturally and let your eyes relax on it. Also, eye rolls will help in keeping eye strain at bay. You can do this by closing your eyes and slowly moving them around in circular motions for one minute. These simple exercises go a long way in keeping eye fatigue and pain to a minimum.
4. Stand Up
Some people are lucky to be working in offices that have implemented the sit-stand workstations or even treadmill desks. This helps in replacing some of their sitting time with standing time; hence boosting their well-being. If you are not lucky enough to have such equipment in your office, you do not have to worry. You can make it possible by propping your computer up on either a stack of books, an overturned trash can or even a printer to help you get on your feet. Standing will help to improve your overall posture, increase your stamina over time and it can also work as a reminder for you to take frequent breaks.
5. Do Neck Exercises
Using a computer for extended lengths normally causes strain on the neck. In most cases, this happens when your computer setup is not ergonomically ideal. To avoid neck strain, you should try out techniques that will prevent your neck muscles from getting stiff. The most effective technique is by turning your head to the right and looking over your shoulder, then holding the position for 10 seconds. Slowly turn the head to the left and repeat the same. This, in most cases, does the trick.
As seen above, setting up your workspace correctly can get rid of fatigue and prevent unnecessary stress on your body. These simple things will help in improving your overall wellbeing and also prevent you from setting up a meeting with your doctor.
