RSI, or repetitive strain injury, is a real risk if you spend hours a week coding. They're caused by remaining in a fixed position, or making the same motion, for long periods. I wrote down some tips to help you (and me) avoid them.
- Get a standing desk. You can go fancy and get a whole new desk, get a converter for your existing desk, or if you're like me and you don't have a desk, nail a shelf into a wall.
Now that you're standing, you can also get one of those squishy kitchen mats for your feet.
I'm reading this heartwarming book called Sourdough by Robin Sloan. The main character is a programmer named Lois who uses a drawing tablet instead of a mouse to stay healthy. This looks like a great idea to me-- it would take me a lot of courage to learn how to navigate with it but I feel like the benefits could be huge.
Do exercises for avoiding carpal tunnel syndrome. Yoga with Adriene has a classic guide. (Doing yoga at the end of the day is great for your posture and avoiding RSIs in general.)
- Take breaks! The thing about repetitive strain injuries is that they're repetitive. Take a break and get active frequently to avoid hurting yourself by remaining in the same posture for too long.
What are your tips for maintaining postural health during the day?
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