Week 2: Clear on Ergonomics!

How are you reading this blog post right now? Are you slouching or sitting up straight? Are you an arm's width away from the computer screen or does your head hover over the keyboard? Come to think of it, how long has it been since you last looked up from your computer screen? 

Is this an accurate mirror image of you?

Public Domain. http://abstrusegoose.com/strips/straighten_your_back_take_your_left_hand_off_your_face_and_stop_playing_with_yourself.png

According to Ergonomics, aka the study of extrinsic strains placed upon us by our surroundings, you better sit up straight and create some distance between you and the computer screen unless you plan to have bad posture and poor eyesight.

First of all, the whole topic of ergonomics in itself fascinates me. There really is a study for everything, and there's always something about every study that critiques us on what we are constantly doing wrong. The whole reason why I understood this part of the lesson so easily was because it relates to me in daily life. I am on a computer constantly, and I admit that I do not always adhere to the rules of ergonomics and thus I come to realize that this may be part of the reason for my poor posture and ill eyesight.

This website, http://cdnsupport.gateway.com/s/manlib/Astro/8506043/6043ch03.htm, gives some great tips on how to work comfortably and healthily when using a computer. Reading all of the recommendations under the section "Working Safely" helped me to really understand ergonomics and how not adhering to the rules of ergonomics could potentially hurt me in the long run.

The part of ergonomics that I loved was the 20/20 rule, which is where one should look up from their computer screen every 20 minutes and try to focus on something 20 feet away in order to avoid excessive eyestrain. That is my idea of informative! I think the majority of people who work on computers constantly have been to the point where you're on the computer and your contacts dry out or your eyes start feeling sore... that's the worst! Before you know it, your eyesight could be effected. However, the 20/20 rule facilitates us to avoid straining our eyes by simply looking up every 20 minutes and giving them a little exercise. Who knew?