Health issues related to computering

[Laia Fauró Gual]

Hello,
Here in Esplai, where I work, we have started a discussion about how to provide assessment to our telecentre's facilitators regarding health problems caused by computering.
Doctors and health experts are advising since long ago about the problems that being in front of a computer for a significant number of hours/day can generate, and how to take in consideration postural and recommended usability of the devises.

I would be really interested in ideas or initiatives tested in telecentres. Is there anybody who has experience on this issue?

Here you have some links I thought could provide good information. There is assessment, guides, detailed information for children's uses...

http://www.safety.uwa.edu.au/policies/computer_workstation_ergonomics
http://www.pc.ibm.com/ww/healthycomputing/
http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/hcg/default.html
http://www.safecomputingtips.com/
http://www.healthycomputing.net/
http://steve-olson.com/14-tips-for-healthy-computing/
http://www.abilitynet.org.uk/edu_healthy

[Sandra Nassali]

Hello Laia and all, i agree that working on computers is something which has become totally unavoidable these days, because most of use them for more than 12 hours a day, or even more than that. Researches have proved that several disorders are outcome of long working sessions but however, there are ways one can work around them to avoid negative effects.

Personally, i do not really have a hands-on experience on this but I think this LINK has good tips on how to avoid health hazards that result from being on a computer for long hours.

Cheers

[Dr. Barbara Fedock]

Laia,

Here are some suggestions that are not research based, but they often work for me.

---Place a few distractors near your computer that occasionally catch your eye.

Examples:
a) a photo of someone special
b) a vacation picture
c) a brochure of somewhere you would like to go
d) a favorite inspirational quote
e) a joke
f) an object, photo, or idea that makes you smile or feel good inside
g) flowers
h) mirrors
i) colors that make you think of something special

---Soft music is also a great stress breaker.

---Chunk your work. Make a schedule, either on paper or in your mind, of how long you will work on a specific project. If you play music on a tape, you might decide to take a short break at the end of the tape.

---Exchange jokes or humorous short, short stories, photos, idea with friends via email or find a humorous or inspirational site online that sparks your interest. Occasionally, take a short break and refresh yourself by reading something funny or inspirational. After you have completed reading it, take a short walk or drink some water. Breathe deeply and stretch.

---Be careful when using your laptop. It is easier, for me, to forget good computer poster when I am using my laptop. I strain my arms and my neck more often as I move around trying to find a comfortable seat.

---Always make it a rule that you have water near your computer and take a long drink every half hour or so. The brain needs water to think and activate ideas.

---Read brain research and follow many of the simple activities, such as every twenty minutes, bow your head down until your chin meets your chest. It will activate the brain and clear your thinking.

I hope this is helpful.

Barbara Fedock