Tips for Healthier Living from the Occupational Therapy Department at Southwest Regional Rehabilitation Center

For people who have less energy due to age or illness, here are some tips for conserving energy in simple, daily tasks:

• Work with muscles that use the least energy: use both hands and arms whenever possible and use hip and shoulder muscles for lifting
• Sit rather than stand whenever possible, or alternate sitting and standing
• Keep frequently-used items within easy reach to avoid stretching, straining, bending, stooping or twisting. Place work at a comfortable level
• Slide rather than lift or carry objects
• Reschedule tasks so they can be done less frequently
• Schedule rest breaks

For cyber kids who spend a lot of time at the computer, here are some tips for staying comfortable and avoiding sore muscles

• Try to fit equipment to the size of the user
• Keep good posture. Keep child's head level, not extended in any direction. The top surface of the monitor should be about even with the child's forehead, arms should be parallel to the keyboard or slightly above it and the lower back should be supported by a small pillow or rolled up towel between the back of the chair and the child's lower back. Legs should be even with the hips so that the upper and lower legs form a 90-degree angle, with feet resting flat, not dangling unsupported above the floor
• The monitor should be placed perpendicular to any windows to avoid glare or direct sunlight, and should be 18-30 inches away from the user
• If chair can't be adjusted, sitting on a pillow or book can raise the child to the proper height
• Take a break. Research has shown that children need to take two-minute breaks for every 30-45 minutes spent on the computer. The break should involve stretching both large and small muscles

 

Southwest Regional Rehabilitation Center 393 E. Roosevelt Battle Creek, Michigan  49017 269.965.3206