The downside of using a laptop
Laptops are
portable & convenient. They have made working easier but harder on the
body. Sadly the design of a laptop with an attached screen & keyboard
causes a laptop user to be in awkward body postures. Laptops were hence not
designed for long term use!
When the screen
is at eye level, the keyboard position is too high creating bad hand/wrist
posture; when the keyboard is at elbow height, the screen is too low causing
you to hunch & poke your neck down. This creates an ongoing trade-off
between poor neck/head & hand/wrist postures.
These poor
postures are unsustainable in the long term & many people find that out the
hard way!
The commonest problems
faced are:
● Carpal Tunnel, Cubital Tunnel
Syndrome ("Repetitive Strain Injuries" (RSI))
● Neck Pain
● Tight, strained shoulder muscles
Setting Up Your Laptop the Ergonomic way
A comfortable
ergonomic workstation setup promotes:
● Neutral back position with the neck
in line with the rest of the the spine (NOT bent forwards)
● Back upright & supported
● Shoulders relaxed (NOT hunched or
rounded)
● Elbows close to the body & bent
at an angle between 90 &120 degrees
● Wrist & hands straight (NOT bent
or turned)
Ergonomic
Laptop set up using a Laptop
Stand India
Laptop stand - A portable device that transforms
your laptop into a comfortable desktop workstation improving head-neck
alignment & therefore user comfort.
Place your
laptop on a laptop stand so the screen is at eye level or
slightly below. Attach an external keyboard & mouse at or slightly below
elbow height. Sit far back into your Ergonomic
Office Chair. Use a footrest
to fill the gap between your feet & the floor if needed.
This configuration
will now give you the Ergonomic setting described above with neutral joint
postures. Your head-neck remain straight not poking forwards & your
hand-wrist are also in a neutral alignment.
This is so much more comfortable than hunching
over your laptop placed on a low desk or your lap. Your neck and wrists will
feel much better with this new improved alignment & it will be a permanent
lifestyle change for better health.
Thinking about
& improving your workstation set up will go a long way not just in
protecting your body but also improving your productivity, creativity &
capacity to work.
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