Why Sitting At The Computer Can Be A Health Risk

It's amazing what health risks you expose yourself to when you're sitting in front of a computer. Here are five things you should be aware of.

1. Poor posture. Poor alignment of the head, neck, shoulder and back causes stress and pain which affects every part of your body from head to toe and it can have lasting health problems.

Support your back. The backrest should fit the natural curve of your lower back. Your feet should be planted firmly on the floor or comfortably on a footrest. Keep a comfortable shoulder and arm posture. Avoid slouching. Keep your wrists straight and avoid any up, down or side way movements.

2. Eye strain. Constantly staring at the monitor can cause dry or watery eyes, sore, burning or itchy eyes, blurred or double vision and headaches all contribute to eye strain. Although there is no long-term consequences, it's rather unpleasant.

Take frequent breaks. Give your eyes a rest by focusing on something other than the monitor. You can also sit back and close your eyes for a few minutes or complete other tasks. Blinking lubricates the eye, so blink more often.

Place the monitor at least at arm's length. Make sure the top of the screen is at eye level so you're not straining to look up or down. Reduce unnecessary glare and check your lighting. The worst problems comes from overhead lighting or from behind. Dust on the monitor may contribute to glare and reflection problems. Lastly, adjust the contrast and brightness on the monitor that is comfortable for you.

3. Poor circulation. Prolonged sitting can cause fatigue in your limbs, painful leg cramps or blood clots. Get up and move around, go for a 30 minute walk, do some light exercises or stretches for your arms, shoulders, neck, back and legs. Take a few deep breaths by inhaling slowly through the nose and exhaling through the mouth.

4. Forgetting to eat. Many people forget to eat while working on the computer. I can see why. Time just flies. Don't skip those important meals because they give you energy and will carry you out throughout the day. If you have a daily planner, make sure you schedule a lunch break away from the computer. Drink lots of water to keep yourself hydrated.

5. Eating too much. And some people can't stop eating. It's like watching TV and you need something to munch on. You end up eating a lot more than necessary and thus adding extra unwanted pounds to your waistline. Eat your meals away from the computer and if you snack, make sure it's healthy foods -- raw veggies, low-fat yogurt and fruits.

Congratulations Contest Winner!

I just want to say a Congratulations to Connie, owner of My Chronic Life for winning a 125x125 button ad on Work At Home Space at Jackie's Birthday Bonanza contest! There're still a lot of prizes to be won so go over there and leave her a comment.

Congratulations Connie and Happy Birthday Jackie! :)

On another contest note, Prevention.com has a contest opened until May 20, 2008. They are looking for original diabetic recipes. You can have the chance to win $1,000 and be featured in Outsmart Diabetes magazine. You can Click Here for details.

A Mother's Day Gift

Graphic from www.wilsoninfo.com
If you are looking for a different Mother’s Day present this year, give the gift of convenience. For many mothers thinking of nutritious, great tasting and simple to create meals can be extremely time consuming. Many moms can spend hours each week just deciding on what to make and putting together dinner for their family. If you are looking for a gift that will not only save her some time, but also make the entire family happy and satisfied with a delicious meal, look into a menu planning service.

Menu Planning Services are an extremely convenient and effective way to help mom plan the family dinner each evening of the week. But planning what to cook for each dinner is just the beginning. Such services generally also include easy to follow grocery lists that show all the ingredients for the meals of the week, so mom can easily shop one time and pick up all the ingredients she needs to prepare each week’s meals. No more running to the store each day after work and wasting precious time that should be spent with you.

Menu Planning is also especially helpful for those that are on a budget or who would like to save more. You can save hundreds of dollars each month by not taking the family out to eat, and instead providing a tasty and nutritious meal right at home.

With a menu planning service you generally get recipes for each night along with side dishes and desserts that can be cooked any time. Additionally, you also get a tailored shopping list for each week of food that goes along with your meals. No more scouring all the recipes for the ingredients you need. It's already done for you. Plus, you will receive lots of extras each month that can help you save on your grocery bill and ensure your family is eating delicious and nutritious meals. Something mom is sure to love!

If you are searching for the perfect Mother’s Day gift, give her the enjoyment of Meal Planning.

To Give Mom a Menu Planning Gift this Mother's Day visit http://www.dinewithoutwhine.com

Shut Up and Do Something!

On May 8, 2008 high school students across Canada are participating in a 24 hours of silence fundraising event called Shut Up and Do Something! to support the fight against HIV/AIDS project in Africa.



For more info: Shut Up and Do Something.com and CapAIDS.org

Contest Alert!

Work At Home Space is sponsoring Jackie's Birthday Bonanza! Each day Jackie gives away a wonderful prize offered by her sponsors for the full month of May. All you have to do is post a reply and very importantly don't forget to leave a link where you can be contacted in case you win AND don't forget to wish Jackie a Happy Birthday while you're there -- her birthday is on May 12th.

Tomorrow is my slotted day and I'm offering the winner a one month 125x125 button ad shown on all pages at Work At Home Space excluding the forum.

So if you would like to win this prize, you know what you have to do tomorrow. Visit Jackie's blog at Jackie's Birthday Bonanza and leave her a comment.

Good Luck!

Happy Birthday Jackie!