From time to time, a resident physician at Google headquarters weighs in with her thoughts on healthy living. This is not medical advice, and you should check with your own doctor before pursuing any particular course of action.

– Breaks should be taken every 30-45 minutes for at least 5 minutes. If you need assistance there are free downloadable timers that will help remind you to do so.
– Stretch your arms, hands, neck, and back during breaks. This yoga site demonstrates some exercises. Other sites are listed below.
– Maintain posture alignment. Don’t slouch on the couch with the laptop.
– Work stations should be reviewed initially and with each office move. Adjust your chair, monitor, keyboard, mouse, laptop. Alternate keyboards and mice periodically.
–Shift your gaze from the computer screen to the distance. And don’t forget to blink!
–Limit non-essential computer use. This may be heresy — but do give the surfing, gaming, emailing, and text messaging a rest.
– If pain occurs or persists, see your doctor, who may recommend wrist brace, ice packs, anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen, cortisone injections, physical therapy, and most importantly, rest to allow healing. Don’t procrastinate in addressing your symptoms — the sooner you tend to them, the better off you are.

Link: http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2006/04/avoiding-rsi.html

This entry was posted on Monday, May 1st, 2006 at 9:30 am and is filed under Blog Entries, Google. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.