How could a small device such as a laptop or smart phone have such serious long-term effects on your body? Could computers and technology really be negatively affecting your wellbeing? Absolutely! Although these devices may seem harmless (as I'm sure your using one right now as you read this), they can have a serious repercussions over time.
As an ergonomics consultant and a fitness & nutrition enthusiast, I have the opportunity to notice and uncover the HUGE negative impact that computers have on human health. How, you might ask?
There are many risk factors, but I'm going to touch on the most important one which is lack of movement. Your body requires movement. By getting up and regularly moving around, you can solve a lot of these developing issues. One type of risk that develops from lack of movement is musculoskeletal risks (muscles, tendons, joints, bones, eyes). Movement helps increase circulation. The enhanced blood flow delivers fresh oxygen to fatigued areas as well as removes lactic acid that causes discomfort. Movement also keeps your spine healthy. Every time you sit down, your spine begins to lose fluid, leaving you more susceptible to injury. As you get up and move around, your spine regenerates this fluid which reduces compression of your spinal discs and prevents them from rubbing against each other.
Not only can lack of movement cause musculoskeletal risks, it can also affect your cardiovascular system. Technology has continually allowed the human race to become lazy. Instead of walking, we drive cars. Instead of manual labor, we type on computers. Instead of walking in the park, we play video games. Just as the musculoskeletal system requires movement, your cardiovascular system also requires movement (if not more)! The more sedentary lifestyle that one leads, the more susceptible they become to diseases such as coronary heart disease, diabetes, obesity and atherosclerosis.
The final risk factor brought on by lack of movement that I wanted to mention is stress. Many studies suggest that physically active individuals have lower rates of anxiety and depression than sedentary individuals. Unfortunately, if you work at a computer 40-50 hours a week, and watch TV another 10-20 hours, you could already be considered sedentary, even if you exercise regularly. The brain requires movement and caloric expenditure for proper functioning and wellbeing.
These are just a few of the issues that I see every day working with individuals in an office or technology-based job setting. The solution? Get up and move around! Park in the furthest parking spot, drink lots of water to force more bathroom breaks, plan "walking meetings" when possible, and walk or go exercise during your lunch. If you think these risks are going to suddenly disappear, you're wrong unless you do something about it! Be proactive with your health. Incorporate plenty of movement throughout your day, exercise regularly, and watch what you eat.
Patrick Lohman, MS, CSCS, is an ergonomics consultant/fitness and nutrition specialist for many large corporations and small businesses across the U.S. He has worked with thousands of end users, helping them reach their fitness/nutrition goals and finding creative solutions to their health and productivity issues.
Are you a high-duration computer user? Do you suffer from a lack of mental focus, eye strain, back/shoulder/neck discomfort, or other general health risks from your sedentary lifestyle. Try a solution that's customized just for you! Office Strong is a natural dietary supplement that is specifically formulated for the inactive lifestyle of computer users. It works to improve focus, energy, memory, eye health, circulation, nerve function, discomfort, fatigue, and other ergonomic issues. Learn more at http://www.getofficestrong.com/ or http://www.facebook.com/getofficestrong
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