If you’re anything like me (or the 318 million other people in this country), you likely spend an exorbitant amount of time in front of a computer. Sitting and working at a computer may seem relaxed in theory, but did you know it’s one of the worst things for our bodies?

In fact, I think it’s fair to say that at this point in our lives, we’re spending more time in front of our computers than anywhere else. And while this might be great for productivity purposes, it certainly isn’t good for our posture. It also isn’t great for many other major parts of our anatomy- legs, arms, and eyes included.

Some have even dubbed computer work a “silent killer.”

And take it from a leading South Florida Chiropractor – this is no exaggeration!

Sitting has long been known to wreak havoc on our backs while promoting cardiovascular disease. So what is the average person to do when their job requires them to work forty-hour work weeks in front of the glare of a computer screen or laptop?

Follow Dr. Gena’s tips for staying healthy when it comes to working with computers, of course!

Perfect Your Posture.

The computer itself does not cause bad posture, but not sitting correctly in front of the computer does. If you’re sitting at the computer right now, you may have instantly straightened your spine and sat up taller the second you read that first sentence – because your body naturally begins to slouch the longer you’re seated. Want to overcome this challenge?

• Set up your monitor ergonomically; the bottom edge should be at eye level, the display should be at arms length from your face and angled slightly backward.
• Get an ergonomic office chair or an exercise ball to support and strengthen your lower back. Plus, bouncing on the ball is kind of fun!
• Work on a healthy sitting posture – keep your legs uncrossed, and place your feet flat on the floor. Your posture should be as straight as naturally possible and your eyes should be level, looking straight out at the horizon to avoid any neck pain.

Help Your Blood Flow.

Sitting for long periods of time has a tremendous effect on your blood flow, or lack there of. Ever fly cross country and have someone tell you to get up frequently to stretch your legs? This is to prevent clotting in the veins or stiffness in the joints. If you find yourself sitting for long periods of time at work, set a timer on your phone and take a five-minute break each hour. Stroll the office, take a call standing up, refresh your cup of coffee, and get that blood flowing again!

• Bonus tip! Exercise before or after work for a minimum of 30 minutes!

Stop the Eye Strain.

Staring into the glare of a computer screen for hours on end not only takes a toll on the health of our eyes, but can make us unusually exhausted as well. Ever look up from your computer after a long stretch of time and feel dizzy or see some blurry spots? Yup, those are your eye muscles begging you to take a break. To avoid eye strain in any capacity, there are few key tips for maintaining great eye health:

• Follow the 20/20/20 rule! Every 20 minutes, focus on an object that is at least 20 feet away from you for 20 seconds at a time.
• Sit at least one arm’s length away from your screen.
• Don’t forget to blink! Continuous blinking goes a long way here – keep batting those peepers.

And of course, to keep your body in tip top shape and ensure your spine does not feel the effects of computer work, make regular visits to your chiropractor. The wellness champions at Dr. Gena Chiropractic, in Plantation, Florida, love nothing more than to hear the “ooh’s and ahh’s” of patients who visit us after a hard day of work.

Long story short? If you work on a computer, work on taking great care of your spine!

Your health is in your hands. Dr. Gena’s hands are here to help!