Ergonomic Tips for Mouse-Intensive Job Workers

It might come as a surprise to most of us how small things impact workplace efficiency and health. Older workplace practices used to be black and white, where unproductivity was associated with the workload or work stress. But as research on workplace ergonomics has come under the scope, there are multiple other factors discovered which bring a huge impact on the health and wellness of employees.

This includes the type of workplace furniture, the workplace atmosphere, the flexibility offered to the employee, and the simple office chair you are sitting on. This is why many office ergonomic tips cover a deep range of work practices and techniques. Hence the tips for mouse-intensive jobs and other ergonomic computer tips when using the monitor or a keyboard.

Ergonomic tips for mouse-intensive jobs are often ignored because we don't pay much attention to our wrist health and position while working. But many types of research prove the risk of poor habits at work. Thus, this article will cover the often ignored impact of poor ergonomic practices and some tips for remote workers.

Impact of Mouse Intensive Jobs

A standing desk could be a great accessory to help fight or relax the stress in your upper and lower body as you switch between sit-stand positions. Secondly, a monitor arm is a great invention of humanity to help you with neck movements and positioning in a comfortable position. Desk pads are great for the strain on arms, but repetitive strain injury is a common term researchers associate with it when it comes to a mouse.

The term is defined as a type of injury resulting from repeated stress on the same body part. This injury is because of the damage to the muscles, which doesn't happen overnight but builds up because of uncared for stress at a body part. People who work typing jobs and use the mouse a lot suffer from repetitive strain injury.

Since not most of us pay attention to tiny sensations or pain while working on a computer, here are some common symptoms of repetitive strain injury to look out for.

• Tenderness in the forearms and elbows and the neck and shoulders can range from minor to severe.
• Swelling stiffness
• Numbness or tingling throbbing weakness
• Cold or heat sensitivity

Thankfully there are multiple ways to deal with mouse-intensive injuries, and these ways are as simple as changing your habits or bringing a few new things into your work routine. Below are some tips for mouse-intensive jobs.

Ergonomic Tips for Mouse-Intensive Jobs

Mouse-intensive jobs most commonly give rise to strain injuries simply because you are stressing the same body part for a long period. This also brings muscle fatigue, and soon you experience burnout. One of the most common impacts of mouse-intensive jobs is the pain in the upper body and the burning sensation in the muscles. If you work in a mouse-intensive job environment, here are some simple ergonomic tips for mouse-intensive job to help fight the strain.

Position the Mouse Properly

The ergonomic study doesn’t just focus on the right ergonomic chair with adjustable features, but it is all about finding the proper work position for you. And when using the mouse, the importance of maintaining proper posture increases by various folds. Here are some tips you can follow to make sure the mouse is positioned ideally.

• Place your mouse in proximity so you don't have to stretch to reach it.
• Place the mouse right in front of you rather than bending your elbows to the side to reach it.
• Check that the mouse is a good fit for your hand. Squeezing the mouse if it's too small can create hand cramps. This puts pressure on the median nerve in the carpal tunnel and puts strain on your wrist.
• Remove any watches or accessories that are obstructing your movement.
• If you find yourself resting your wrist frequently, consider placing a tiny gel pad beneath it for support.
• Optimize the cursor speed to a safe movement.
• Make the mouse movements with the help of the wrists rather than the fingers to avoid strain on the wrist.

Use Technology

Technology isn’t our enemy but our friend if used properly. The implementation of technology in the workplace has brought about a lot of positive changes. Here are some technology tips

• Use an ergonomic mouse that is soft against your hand and offers safe movement.
• Get a graphic tablet if your work is related to designing hence constant mouse movements.
• Place your ergonomic chair right in the center of the table and adjust the neck rest right behind your neck to place it comfortably.
• Use another mouse on the other side of the desktop, so no arm or wrist is under prolonged strain.

Adjust the Screen

Poor screen adjustment is the cause of the majority of workplace-related injuries. With poor monitor settings, your neck, shoulders, upper body is entirely subjected to undue stress and strain.

• Start by placing the screen right in front of you and make sure it is at the center of where you are sitting.
• Place the screen so that your head is level and not gazing upward.
• Adjust the brightness and contrast controls and the ambient room light to make them equal to reduce eye strain.
• Glare should be avoided. Draw the blinds or place the monitor perpendicular to the windows. A glare filter can also be beneficial.
• For multiple monitor setups, place the two screens close to each other, or you could also get a corner desk to place the monitor side by side, so the tilting angle is minimum.

Check Your Posture

• Once you set the desk accessories and your gadgets in the right position, now is the time to bring adjustability to yourself.
• Start by adjusting the chair, so it conforms to your body shape without any poking or hindrance in your comfort.
• Adjust the armrests and seat tilt of your chair until you are sitting upright and in a relaxed position.
• Adjust the seat height so that your feet are not dangling on the floor and comfortable resting on the floor.
• Avoid crossing or twisting your body.
• If you are using a standing desk, adjust the desk's height so when you place arms on the table, they are parallel to the floor.