| I've been thinking lately about how I work. Not my process, but the actual set up of my work. I use a Macbook to write. I loves my Mac. It's got a great keyboard with thin keys that allow my fingers to fly. The only problem I have it the setup of the keyboard is tough on the wrists. Lately, I've been having pain in my right wrist. It start a few months ago with some random numbness and occasional tingling. I put it off for a while, but now I'm afraid I might have the beginning stages of carpal tunnel. I also get frequent neck and backaches from poor posture and tensing up while I write. It doesn't help that I usually sit on my patio when I write. This set up does nothing good for my posture. I type hunched over my keyboard with my wrist resting on the sharp corners of my laptop. Not good. Well, I finally got wise. Last night, I purchased a new monitor. A twenty-inch flatscreen that will allow me to look up at the screen instead of down. It also allow me to work on my word docs on the bigger screen, while relegating my other programs to the laptop. Not only will this help my eyes, it will hopefully cut down on distractions. I also bought an ergonomic keyboard and a wrist rest. It may sound like I'm going overboard, but I'm not taking any chances. I'm in my thirties. I've got a lot of good writing years ahead of me, but not so much if I can't type. Sorry for the practical post, but I don't see a lot of talk out there about the importance of ergonomics for writers. Does anyone have any other tips for avoiding the aches and pains of the writing life? |
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This is a GREAT post, Jaye. I have the same issues/concerns (and I sit on the couch with my laptop on a lapdesk, with two pillows behind me, but I'm still kind of hunched. And I plan to get a Mac next time. Anyway.)
I read about a great exercise a while back and it really does help. Hold your arms out straight at the sides, palms down. Really stretch them out as far as you can.
Now wiggle your fingers, keeping them straight.
Still wiggling, turn your hands palm up. Keep wiggling and bend your hands up, wiggling fingers toward the sky with your arms still straight out.
It stretches the tops of your wrists and the muscles in your hands and arms, and it feels really good. It does help, too. Since I've started doing it regularly (like once every hour or so when I'm really working) I've had a lot less pain in my right wrist (my bad side is the right too, stupid mouse.)
Great exercise, Stace. Someone taught me one a couple of years ago that I use daily. Hold you hand out with fingers spread. Starting with the pinkie, curl each of your fingers toward your thumb and circle your wrist and repeat ten times. Then do it in the other direction, curling your fingers away from your body. I'm told it's supposed to strengthen the wrist and keep things loose. Seems to help me.
It isn't as flexible to haul everywhere, but it helps to actually get a desk. When I announced in college that I was going to become a writer come hell or high water my dad took my measurements and built a desk which was just the right height for me. It's heavy as sin but one of the best pieces of furniture I own.
At work they also have posters around called 'Office Yoga' and truthfully it's helpful. The posters suggest stopping work at least once an hour and stretching. Stand up and shake your hands out. Stare into the distance and then focus again for your eyes. Lean over and wrap your arms around your legs and stretch your back out...etc. The breaks really do help and just getting moving gives your body a chance to tell you what you need. :)
I have to be careful and watch my posture at work. I start getting serious muscle cramps in my neck and shoulders. The fact that I have a tendency to tense up while working on something detailed doesn't help much.
JSB, now that I ave a bigger monitor I'll be using the desk in my office more often.
Daelith, it's amazing how we get used to having our shoulders and back tense. I have to remind myself to lower my shoulders every so often.
Jaye, great post. I found that using a trackball/mouse helps immensely. I currently write on a MacBook Air (and previous books were written on a Mac laptop).
I found that putting the laptop on the iLap Laptop Stand helps, too. It keeps the laptop at an angle that makes it easier for me to type.
I'm with everyone else on the neck/shoulder cramps, though. After years and years at work at a desk using computers, my neck & shoulders ache all the time. Maybe a regular visit by a masseur will help? ::g:: (would that I could afford that!)
Maria, I just got finished setting up my new keyboard and mouse setup. Boy does having a mouse make a difference. I had no idea how much that track pad was stressing my wrists.
I have the disadvantage of only being able to write for short periods of time every day, so the related wear and tear on my body is probably a lot less than yours.
I also have a job that requires a certain level of physicality and play as much tennis as my poor, ragged rotator cuffs will allow. Both of these things help keep my fingers and wrists stronger than those of someone who writes more than I do.
One more thing you might try as a prevenative measure is to get a 1 or 2 lb. weight, hold it in your fingers with your hand palm down, and do reps where you flex your wrist up with the weight. Then, you repeat the process with your palms up. I did these regularly when I played baseball and they really helped develop the musculature around my wrists.