People with computer jobs...

[Demon]

With all the time we spend on computers, sitting a few feet away from a glowing screen, I'm wondering whether it's bad for you. I mean, some people have to spend many hours a day at a computer because of their jobs... programmers for example. Although there might be breaks, I've heard of 8-11+ hour jobs at computers.

Also, I kind of mean other than carpal tunnel.

 

[Kandy-Sugar]

I have a computer job which requires me to be in front of a computer for 9 hours a day and then when I come home I'm usually on the computer again. =/

I'm surprised that I don't need glasses. >.<

The glare doesn't get to me that much but it's hard to work effeciently when you get a headache. Staring at a bright screen is really the least thing you feel like doing. =/

The main thing that gets to me is my back. Sitting there constantly starts to make your back ache and you need to get up every so often to have a good walk about and a stretch.

Nothing else I can really think of that's too bad about having a desk job though. I love my job. <3

 

[blakstang98]

I have a job that requires sitting in front of a computer for most hours of the day. My eyesight is sort of shot, but that was the case before I took this job 3 years ago. If anything, the biggest drawback to having a computer (or even a desk job) job is sitting around too much, which leads to significant weight gain. And being the energetic person I am, sitting around for that many hours is tiring.

 

[Abstract Debauchery]

Friendly tip, sit at an upward angle from your computer so that you are looking downwards at your computer monitor. It forces your eyes to be somewhat closed, allowing less light into your eyes, lowering the chance for headaches.

For carpal tunnel, find something soft that forces your wrists to angle in straight to your hands while typing. It works wonders, and lowers any wrist pains significantly. I'm in front of a computer all day, so I have plenty of tips like that.

 

[DepecheMode]

From my experience with working with computers for the last 6 years, specializing in repair mostly, it can be kinda hard on your health and I think stress is probably the biggest factor (at least for me), then again stress pretty much comes with every job. I personally thought at one point I wanted to be a programmer but two things were working against me, one I hated anything math because I sucked and two stress would build after sitting for long periods of time in front of a computer. Then again when you do repairing and you sit in front of a computer for many hours troubleshooting and not many options work it can be very stressful. I also do hardware computer repair, so I'm not just always having to stair at a screen figuring out what to do but that still can be very stressful, especially when it comes to power related issues like swollen capacitors and replacing them is usually a 50/50 shot, sometimes it works, other times it doesn't. I would also say my back in my spine area is another health factor that I've had troubles with, either with being hunched over working on hardware or not sitting up straight from staring at the screen too, then again it's probably hereditary, bad backs are infamous in my family. I remember my old dentist who had been in dentistry for 25 years had some major hunch back problems from bending to work on teeth for so many years and when he'd get up to move he'd practically waddle wherever he went. I remember watching him and thinking to myself that could be me in 25 years if I'm not careful . I don't think I'll be in computers forever, my patience with dealing with them is thinning more.... and... more.....

 

[Valvalis]

I have to sit at a desk for most of my work day making calls while at a computer, and processing customer orders. And really, the main problem I have is that I'm extremely tall, so if the chair is not at the right height, it's extremely uncomfortable and annoying, because most furniture in, I would say the world, is not designed to accommodate tall people >_> However, the chairs we have do have an adjustable lever, so I can sort of get comfortable with that However, I am always changing positions too, because something about the design of my spine/lower back/posterior makes it difficult for me to sit straight up against the back of chairs that are designed for people with less curves in their bodies

 

[Tyler Breeze]

Well this is really good. My Mom kinda has no choice but to work a computer job, so any tips to help ease the eventually headaches and all of that is most certainly welcome. She doesn't have a desk or anything either so she'd have to work from the couch or her bed, which doesn't seem like a good idea IMO. I actually think the reason I needed glasses was because of all those nights I spent in front of the computer (and that was WAY before I joined this forum). So I guess it's a case of "you gotta do what you gotta do". :/