Laptops – A Boon or a Bane?
The laptop computer has undoubtedly transformed the way we work. We can carry it easily and work from just about anywhere – in cars and planes, at the dining table, on a sofa and even in the bed. For some of us, the laptop has become almost as much of a constant companion as the beloved mobile phone. Most modern day office-goers will agree that it’s hard to imagine what life was like before laptops became the norm. And most offices will agree that they now prefer providing employees with laptops rather than desktops.
What we don’t know is that the laptop computer was not designed for continuous use. Since its two integral parts – the display and the keyboard – are closely attached to each other, the laptop can be positioned correctly either for the eyes or the hands, not for both together. Continuous work on the laptop therefore has major ramifications on our health. It makes the user slouch, causing back pain, neck pain and poor posture. It also makes the hands bend inwards and outwards, causing wrist pain and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. A deeper dive reveals even more shocking facts – slouching is also associated with many life-threatening diseases such as cardiac ailments and diabetes!
So is all hope lost for the modern office-goer? Not quite! There is a proper way to use a laptop for long periods of time. The display needs to be raised to be in line with the eyes, and the laptop needs to be connected to an external keyboard and mouse (instead of using the built-in keyboard). How does one raise the laptop display to an appropriate height? You can place the laptop on a pile of books about 6 inches thick, or buy a laptop support like Arise or AriseGo. This will put an instant stop to slouching/hunching, resulting in improved posture and enhanced productivity. Some of these supports work for desktop computers as well, while others are also usable for a tablet and mobile phone. For those who want a more permanent solution for their work space, a flexible sit/stand solution like EeTee is ideal. Such tables empower you to work in both sitting and standing positions, helping you mitigate the myriad health risks of a sedentary lifestyle.
