Resting Your Wrists on Your Desk
This is a really common habit, but putting pressure on the soft underside of your wrist can reduce blood flow to the area and cause issues, such as carpel tunnel syndrome. This is also a sign that your chair is not at the right height. Adjust your seat so that your forearms naturally float a coupe of inches above the keyboard when your arms are bent at 90 degrees.
Flexing your wrists from side to side
This movement from radial deviation to ulnar deviation has the potential to cause a repetitive strain injury over time.
Control the direction of your mouse from your shoulder and keep the mouse as close to your keyboard as possible to prevent over-reaching.
Cradling your telephone between your ear and your shoulder
This habit can cause intense musculo-skeletal issues with the neck and back, it was also found to be the cause of a ruptured artery in a professional who had been cradling his phone between his ear and shoulder for about an hour.
Get a head set, put your phone on speaker or hold your phone up to your ear with your non dominant hand and take note with the other.
Placing your documents between you and your keyboard
Chances are some you are doing this right now! It is not possible to work ergonomically with a notebook or pad of paper between you and your keyboard.
To ensure correct posture, your keyboard should be positioned approximately 10cm from the edge of your desk.
If you work with paperwork frequently, get a document holder to place between your keyboard and monitor.
Using a tablet or device flat to the table
This forces your body into an uncomfortable position that can cause neck/ back pain, joint degeneration and rounded shoulders over time.
Get a stand and separate keyboard & mouse if you use a tablet to do your work, ensure your shoulders are in line with your hips and remember to take breaks throughout the day!
