Healthy Blogger: Keep Good Posture
Posted in Blog Tips | By AhTim
Recently, I heard too many brothers and sisters involved in bones problem. Seems like it is a common health problem in this new era, Internet world.
Most of the problem was start from Vertebral Subluxation. It might due to long time of wrong posture. When the vertebral bones out of alignment, they will press on nerves. Then it will cause Neuropathic pain. If we just ignore it, it will get worst and finally paralysis.
I don’t want we get vertebral subluxation problem after blogging for 10 years. So, must always keep good posture in front computer to become a healthy blogger.
The picture above shows the correct posture in front of a computer. How to keep this good postures practice? Let’s do it step by step.
1. Backbone posture
Do not bend down or lay on the computer table to face monitor. Sit straight by filling in the space between your back and the back of the chair. This helps avoid excess pressure on the spine.
2. Leg Posture
Feet should be flat on the floor. Clear away blockage under computer table. This is to avoid disturbance of blood circulation.
3. Shoulder and arm posture
Place your keyboard and mouse at about elbow level. Find the most comfortable position for your arm and shoulder. The keyboard should place center in front of you, and mouse close to it.
4. Wrist and finger posture
Keep wrists straight and floating above the keyboard while typing. Put your wrist on wrist rest and use your mouse to reduce the pressure on wrist. Adjust your mouse position until you get the most comfortable position.
5. Minimize Eyestrain
Place your monitor at a distance of about arm’s length, not too far or too close. Adjust your monitor brightness, contrast, and font size to levels that are comfortable for you. Less brightness less eyestrain.
Give your eyes a break by focus on short distance object (eg: a pen on finger) and far distance (for eg: a tree outside window). Do this exercise several times a day.
6. Take short breaks.
Periodically look up at the ceiling to give your posture muscles a break. This help to relax your neck and backbone too.
Do not sit in front computer with frozen posture for too long, or your bones will get freeze one day! Take a short breaks, walking around , visit washroom, stand up or change your work tasks for few minutes.
My two cents
Maybe we can’t see the effect of wrong postures in short time. But it really affected many friends of mine, especially middle age people. According to doctor, these common sickness was cause by wrong posture accumulated after long period of time.
So do not underestimate the effect of wrong posture! Especially for blogger like me. I face in front of computer everyday almost up to 9 hours! 
The rules number 4 (wrist and finger postures) really affected me the most. After my wife bought me an “elephant shape” wrist rest, I have no more wrist pain. I start practicing all suggestions above from today onwards. Have you blogging in correct postures? Let me know if you want to add more tips in the list above.
[tips: ririan project]
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June 30th, 2008 at 2:46 pm
oh no………..my posture kena change to right…..
June 30th, 2008 at 6:04 pm
They have these back braces that are used when you do heavy lifting that can also be great for your posture. I use one in my summer job and I take it home with me for every day use as well. Before I had the worst posture but now after using the brace for a week my back is a lot straighter and my posture is much better.
June 30th, 2008 at 8:03 pm
The table in my hostel force me to use the wrong posture? What can i do?? So, I always take some break after some while. As i know, there is some posture when we are holding our mouse.
June 30th, 2008 at 10:24 pm
ha, i leave this comment by using the correct posture you teach, can you see?
June 30th, 2008 at 11:10 pm
Hi,
I used to have lousy computer posture and got back pain as a result. I came up with the idea for PostureMinder - award winning personal posture coaching software that reminds you when you sit in bad postures and also features other tools for healthy, effective working. There’s a free trial on my website, please feel free to give it a go.
Dr Phil
July 1st, 2008 at 5:14 am
wow. I really need to work on this
July 1st, 2008 at 11:48 am
This is the reason why many chairs cost a lot. It’s very important to right your posture also with the right ergonomic furniture around you. small investment if you think about how much your hospital bills could cost ya in the future if you don’t right the posture now.
It’s not just about blogging, ppl are subject to staring at computer screens all day at work. ironically they do the same thing at home (surfing time mah).
There are many sources of info for simple exercises that can be done at your desk (some look a little silly but heck, who cares).
July 3rd, 2008 at 11:47 am
[...] RSS feed. Remember to Digg it or Stumble it, if you enjoyed this post! :)Many readers agreed that good posture in front computer is important. It really cause serious pain if we do not practice correctly. What [...]
July 3rd, 2008 at 11:51 am
@John: You have good suggestion. I heard about the back brace product. Should try it and get one soon.
July 5th, 2008 at 8:02 pm
my condition makes for the perfect storm.I have a bad sight so i have to bend a bit even when am wearing specs.The table i use is too low so this forces me to bend too….i suggest blogging while lying on the bed…..does it hurt?
July 6th, 2008 at 1:26 pm
@bohemian: Blogging on the bed? I don’t think is a good posture.
July 10th, 2008 at 12:53 pm
[...] to my RSS feed. Remember to Digg it or Stumble it, if you enjoyed this post!
Have you practice good posture while blogging? Say is easier than practice it. Since it does not has immediate effect, most people [...]
July 16th, 2008 at 7:48 pm
Thank you for this post! We’ve added a review of it to our website: Good Posture Tips from One Blogger to Another (http://allwomenstalk.com/good-posture-tips-from-one-blogger-to-another/).
And added your link there. I hope you like it!
July 18th, 2008 at 4:03 pm
[...] don’t want we get vertebral subluxation problem after blogging for 10 years. So, must always keep good posture in front computer to become a healthy [...]
July 27th, 2008 at 2:51 am
[...] Here’s a set of excellent good posture tips from Ahtim.com [...]