Protect Your Wrists

by Anishametra Saravanan

You’re sitting at your work desk for hours, typing away when you start feeling a discomfort in your hands and wrists. When the bulk of your day consists of office work, it’s vital to have the right tools, an ergonomic workstation and an awareness for break times to protect you against injuries and discomfort. As someone who spends most of her time writing, I’m guilty of letting time pass by me without taking any breaks until the discomfort feels mildly annoying. So, if you’re like me and you want to be better at taking care of your wrists, here’s a few tips that can be helpful!

Source: EwiWorks

1. Make sure your workstation is ergonomic

Whether you’re working on a computer or with a pen and paper, it’s important to create an ergonomically work area suited to you. When it comes to keeping your wrists and hands protected from strain and injuries, that means:

Ensuring your elbows are at a 90 degrees angle when typing or writing.
Adjusting your monitor height to just below or at eye level.
Making sure your wrists are in a neutral and flat position while typing or writing.

2. Take breaks to stretch or change positions

Taking time to stretch throughout the day, changing positions or engaging in wrist and hand exercises can go a long way to preventing workplace discomfort and injuries. In addition to giving your hands and wrists a break, this simple habit can help prevent eye strain and mental stress too. For a simple wrist exercise guide, check out the video above.

3. Use a comfortable pen

Although this advice may sound trivial, it’s important to find a pen that’s ergonomic and comfortable to use if you spend any amount of time writing with one. More so, if you already have a condition such as carpal tunnel syndrome or arthritis. While each person’s hands are shaped differently, and comfort depends primarily on the user, the most ergonomic pens are typically those that feature a long barrel design and a soft, comfortable grip for smoother writing.

4. Wear wrists guards when exercising

While working out can be a great way to unwind, getting an injury while exercising can be the cause of stress too. Hence, it’s good to assess the type of physical activity you participate in and gauge the likeliness of attaining a wrist injury. If you’re someone who is injury-prone and enjoys sports such as rollerblading, football or the occasional snowboarding activity when you’re on holiday, wearing a pair of wrist guards could save you from getting hurt.

Note: If your wrist pain/discomfort continues, please consult a physician for medical advice.

Sources:

Staples Professional

Summit Orthopedics