EK HEALTH

-by Kim Granata-Clark, MS in Human Factors and Ergonomics, Ergonomic Specialist

It is important to take breaks during the day to give your body a break from being in the same position for a period of time.  It gets the blood flowing throughout the body to move and stretch.

List of different breaks:

• Eye breaks
• RSI guard - break software
• Standing periodically during the day
• Standing work surface for laptop or paperwork
• Electric sit to stand workstation

You should take eye breaks during the day to rest your eyes.  Your blink rate slows down when you are working on the computer so look at pictures on your wall or people walking by your office to change your focus during the day. This will reduce dry eyes or eye fatigue.

The RSI guard software can be downloaded on your computer at www.rsiguard.com.  It offers a 45-day trial period or your company may have bought a license to use the program.  This program allows you to set your break schedule for the day; preferably taking a break every hour.  The software knows how much time you have been spending on the keyboard and mouse and once it gets to a certain point, it is time to take a break.  The breaks are 2-3 minutes long.  This is time for you to get up and stretch, go talk to a coworker, call a coworker, or get some water, tea, or coffee.  You can skip the break but the program will make you feel guilty and the next break might be twice as long.  You might see this program show up 5 times a day or 2 times depending on how much time you spend on the computer.  This software program also shows you stretches during the break with the volume on or off.

Stand when you are on the phone, having a conversation with a coworker, or taking a stretch break.  You can have one of your work surfaces raised to your standing elbow height and work on paperwork or place your laptop on this surface.  You can raise your main computer workstation to standing elbow height and do paperwork while seated on a separate work surface.  If you plan to stand for the majority of your day, a footrest or an anti-fatigue mat is recommended to offload the body, feet, or legs.

A more expensive solution is an electric sit to stand workstation.  You can raise and lower your main computer workstation during the day and continue working on the computer.  This solution can be $1500-$2500. 

Take breaks, move, and stretch!!!  Your body is not made to sit all day.  Check with your company for options for standing or a break software.