HOW TO REDUCE LAPTOPITIS:

Optimize the ergonomic set up and check your angles.

• Are your hands too high because the laptop is on a kitchen table or regular desk? Raise your seat so that your elbows are in a 85-110 degree range and your writs are level (e.g., sit on a pillow).
• Are you tilting your head down to read the screen?
  Look down with your eyes while holding your head slightly more erect. Take every opportunity not to look at the screen while you work. Move and rotate your head from side to side and back and forth. Curl and uncurl your spine by gently arching and rounding your back and neck.
• Use a laptop stand for convenience (see www.backshop.nl) with an external split keyboard (see www.goldtouch.com), mouse, trackball or track pad.
• Use a docking station for ease of use and/or use an external monitor that can be adjust to the correct height: the top of the screen is at eyebrow level.

• Move your head, neck and back every 15 minutes (e.g., imagine a pointer at the top of your head and draw figure "8" on the ceiling while relaxing your shoulders and continuing to breath).
• Relax your shoulders and arms every minute (e.g., drop your hands to your laps after hitting return and then continue to type).
• Install a reminder program, such as "Stretch Break" (see www.paratec.com).
• Implement all of the Healthy Computing Email Tips.