While technology has made so many areas of life much more convenient, it’s also opened up areas of risk that users never have had to deal with before. Especially when it comes to things like computers, laptops, tablets, and smartphones, people are seeing more and more everyday how extended use of these items can have an adverse effect on your health if you’re not careful, especially when it comes to people who work on these devices each day and sustain personal injuries because of it. So to help ensure that you’re able to stay safe and healthy when using these pieces of technology, here are three tips for protecting your body from the strain of using laptops, tablets, and smartphones.
Limit Your Eyes’ Exposure To Blue Light
Arguably the part of your body that’s most sensitive to the potentially harmful effects of spending too much time using technological devices is your eyes. According to Lindsay Dodgson, a contributor to Business Insider, the blue light that’s emitted from backlit screens like those on laptops and smartphones can lead to macular degeneration, which can eventually cause blindness. Luckily, there are some things you can do to better protect your eyes from blue light. For example, you can try wearing special glasses designed for blue light and other light rays. Additionally, you should ensure that you’re only keeping your screen as bright as you need it to see and that you give your eyes a break at least every 20 minutes or so.
Get Your Screen To The Right Height
Another area of your body that can easily be tweaked by improper use of technology like computers and tablets is your neck and shoulders. In many cases, people keep their screens too low for the placement of their head and eyes, causing them to hunch over and stoop their neck to see their screen. To combat this, Jack Schofield, a contributor to the Guardian, shares that you should keep your screen at the right height for your eyes. With computers or laptops, this means raising your monitors and using a detachable keyboard. For tablets or smartphones, you should try to hold your screen higher and take breaks so you reduce the strain on your neck.
Reduce Stress and Tension In Your Joints
Points of tension in your body from using technology can develop in other areas, too. According to Larry Swanson, a contributor to GeekWire.com, you should try to use external accessories, like a mouse or touchpad, as often as you can, especially if you’re going to be working on your device for an extended period of time. You should also ensure that your back is supported, your neck is in a neutral position, and that your wrists and elbows are properly aligned with your body and not overextended.
If you’ve found yourself feeling pain or strain throughout your body after using devices like your laptop, tablet, or smartphone, consider using the tips mentioned above to help reduce this physical stress.