Has your job impacted your physical health?

#discuss

My main woes are wrist pain and strained eyes!

Oldest comments (31)

Ryan Smith • Jan 20 '20

Aside from occasional eye irritation, nothing too concerning here. I am very mindful of the potential issues and try to avoid them. Here are my tips:

Invest in a good chair. I have the Steelcase Leap which is not cheap, but worth the investment since being at the computer is my job and hobbies, so I spend a lot of time there.
Sit with good posture. Having the nice chair isn't enough, don't hunch over the keyboard or "zoom in" with your neck.
Invest in a comfortable keyboard. I prefer ergonomic keyboards because they more naturally fit your hands and wrists. Microsoft's Ergonomic Keyboard is not too expensive and has served me well. That fancy RGB-lit mechanical keyboard may be a dream to type on, but if you have to strain and contort yourself to do so, it isn't worth it.
Do wrist stretches every so often to help prevent carpal tunnel or repetitive stress injury.
Take a break every so often and go for a walk.
Exercise in your free time.
For the eyes, I have screen brightness set fairly low and use the night light overlay.

Anower Jahan Shofol • Jan 20 '20

Hi Ryan, I was looking for some recommendations about the chair. I always set my mind for a good chair but seeing the price, I am still away from it but my back hurts now and then. Can you show yours or recommend a good one as you said about the keyboard?

Ryan Smith • Jan 20 '20

I'm not too sure about other chair recommendations as I have used the Steelcase Leap for a while. I think you may have to do some research and see if you can try sitting in some of them.

Rick Mills • Jan 20 '20 • Edited

Couldn't agree more on the chair. I have a Herman Miller Mirra, which after trying the Aeron I found to be a lot more comfortable. It's got a hard plastic back which you'd think would be uncomfortable but is the total opposite. Combined with adjustable seat pitch, lumbar, arm wrests etc make it great.

I've had it ~10 years now and its still going strong. If you're sitting on one of the local staples / office depot fake leather things you're in for a world of pain in your future - a decent chair is absolutely worth the price.

Also the breaks thing is super important. Even getting up to make a coffee is better than nothing. I see people at my workplace sit without moving all day and its just the worst thing you can do. It also acts as a good way to force yourself to step away from your code - some of my best ideas and thoughts on how to do things come when I'm away from my desk.

Nick Taylor • Jan 20 '20

Ahh interesting, I was going to pick up a used Herman Miller Aeron. We had them at my last job and they were pretty comfortable. I might have to try a Herman Miller Mirra before going either Aeron.

Zane Milakovic • Jan 20 '20

Yep. Sitting is the new smoking. I have also found it difficult to loose weight.

I also have developer arthritis, but it’s not clear if that is related.

My eyes have gotten a little worse, but it’s stayed the same for a few years now. I think the better monitors and me choosing a better resolution has helped.

Valentin Prugnaud 🦊 • Jan 20 '20

Lower back pain. Still trying to get rid of it with a ton of exercise and physio. Sitting all day takes a toll on your health (recently got a standing desk at home though 🙂)

Anower Jahan Shofol • Jan 20 '20 • Edited

Back pain. Neck Pain. It was so painful that I had to take a break for a week last year.

The doctor advised regular physical exercise.
And also advised not to sit for a long time. Take rest after 20-30 mins. Stand, walk or do something for a while and then come back to sit again. But, it is hard to remember and maintain due to work pressure. But still trying to maintain it.

And, due to lack of physical exercise and a lot of sitting, obesity is almost at my home :/ In the last limit of normal BMI.

flashnoob • Jan 20 '20

Yes, aside from eye pain, it gave me wrist pain, herniated disc, tight hips. I'm working on those things. Please take care of yourself and have a good posture