Health implications of a desk job

[lanciachris]

Bah. have discovered that I have health issues directly related to my job of being a computer programmer parked at a desk in front of a computer screen all day. What are you supposed to do about such things? shifting profession seems like the only complete solution, which is a bit of a bugger considering im only now starting to earn a reasonable wage after a degree and a couple of years experience learning to do it!

ps. no im not a huge lardy thing.

[nervous]

why not turn the screen so thats its facing away from you. presto chango, problem solved.

sometimes i dont know how i do it for the money.

[Plotloss]

Frequent breaks.

5 mins every hour away from your workstation.

[lanciachris]

Plotloss said:

Frequent breaks. 5 mins every hour away from your workstation.

But my work is at my workstation People will get shirty ive im seen to wander away from my desk for no apparent reason for 3/4 hour every day.

[Plotloss]

You are entitled to a 5 min break away from the monitor every hour, swivel around in your chair and chat to someone.

Sitting staring at a screen for 8 hours is NO good for you.

[mechsympathy]

As plotloss says move away from your workstation, even if that's only to stretch. You can't possibly need to be in contact with your keyboard/mouse for every moment of the day, so wheel yourself back (you can still read your screen if need be but at least your eyes are using a different focus point) and have a stretch. Initially set your pc to remind you, but ultimately you want to make it a habit.

[robdickinson]

1st a full ergonomic VDU workstation assesment, and fix amnything thats not right (more ergonomic chair, better vdu/height etc).

Take breaks, frequent short breaks away from your workstation.

I try to get to the gym in my lunchtime, even if it means working longer hours to make up.

[titiany]

Yes - focus on something in the distance once in a while.

If you're getting Carpal tunnel syndrome, they suggest things like:
"perform stretching exercises, take frequent rest breaks, wear splints to keep wrists straight, and use correct posture and wrist position. Wearing fingerless gloves can help keep hands warm and flexible. Workstations, tools and tool handles, and tasks can be redesigned to enable the worker's wrist to maintain a natural position during work. Jobs can be rotated among workers. Employers can develop programs in ergonomics, the process of adapting workplace conditions and job demands to the capabilities of workers."

More info here www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/carpal_tunnel/detail_carpal_tunnel.htm#30643049

[aspender]

RSI and vision aren't the only things you can be afflicted with through a desk job. Apparantly, ingrowing arse hairs caused by sitting down all day can lead to nasty situations requiring surgery They also afflict professional drivers. I belive it's called a perianal sinus!



>> Edited by aspender on Tuesday 10th May 10:51

[titiany]

aspender said:

RSI and vision aren't the only things you can be afflicted with through a desk job. Apparantly, ingrowing arse hairs caused by sitting down all day can lead to nasty situations requiring surgery They also afflict professional drivers. I belive it's called a perianal sinus!

- you're having us on.... surely?

[FourWheelDrift]

Plotloss said:

Frequent breaks. an hour away from your workstation every 5 mins.

[aspender]

titiany said:

- you're having us on.... surely?

No, straight up. There's a bit of stuff on google, but mainly of a medical nature.

I have to make clear that my knowledge of this is not personal!

[yertis]

mechsympathy said:

You can't possibly need to be in contact with your keyboard/mouse for every moment of the day...

REALITY CHECK!!!

Hello?

There is such a thing as P-I-S-T-O-N-H-E-A-D-S???

For some reason I felt compelled to deliver that like my 13 year old daughter...

[pzero64]

I thought it was called painicus in the arseicus.

www.painicusarseicus.com

[m-five]

Plotloss said:

Sitting staring at a screen for 8 hours is NO good for you.

8 hours a day - I thought he was talking about a full-time computer programming job, more like 14 hours a day (greedy money-grabbing barsteward I am)

I've been doing similar for 15 years and have go no health problems - apart from ingrowing arse-hairs, bad eyesight, migraines, RSI, tablet-thumb, mouse-wrist, and a BMI of about 35 (although that's due to the 'reasonable' expense account we have to use).

[Plotloss]

I was working on the basis that Chris isnt a contractor, of course

[mechsympathy]

yertis said:

REALITY CHECK!!! Hello? There is such a thing as P-I-S-T-O-N-H-E-A-D-S??? For some reason I felt compelled to deliver that like my 13 year old daughter...

[lanciachris]

Tis all very depressing for a 24 year old to discover that his chosen career has health risks and is still dull. Time to resurrect those skiing instructor dreams... (no really, im going to look back into it). or maybe that job i was offered in a surfing gear shop a couple of years ago is still open.

[Plotloss]

If you dont think IT is right for you, get out now before those golden handcuffs start to chafe.

Its not nice, not nice at all.

[mechsympathy]

lanciachris said:

Tis all very depressing for a 24 year old to discover that his chosen career has health risks and is still dull. Time to resurrect those skiing instructor dreams... (no really, im going to look back into it). or maybe that job i was offered in a surfing gear shop a couple of years ago is still open.

Unfortunately we're designed for running around hunting things, not sitting on our arses all day (more's the pity)

On the bright side, you're not going to die of RSI (or a perianal cyst).