USING LAPTOP AND OTHER PORTABLE DEVICE

• Nowadays most of us spent several hours sitting along with our laptops especially during this era of work from home.
• Laptops, notepads, and tablets are compact and easy to carry around but cannot be adjusted to make them comfortable to work on for long periods.
• You risk back problems if you use these devices without taking measures to ensure that you maintain good posture.
• Most of us tend to use laptop either lying on the sofa or slumped with back and neck in an awkward position.
• However, it is mandatory to take care to set up a healthy working environment, with the same principles of arrangement as of workstation in the office.
• Ideally, you should set up at a desk, using a purpose-made stand—or a box, or books—to raise the device to the correct level, and a separate keyboard and mouse.
• Some steps can be taken to protect yourself from injury, working away from the desk.
• A supportive office chair—ideally an adjustable ergonomic one —and a desk or table of the right height for you can be very much helpful to maintain a good posture.
• Follow the advice given for sitting at an office desk and try not to lean forward over the laptop.
• Don’t slump at the shoulders or crane your neck, these positions will lead to stress in your neck and shoulders and also leads to painful upper back.
• Make sure to take a break at every regular interval.

How to set up your laptop to avoid back and neck pain??

Laptop set-up

• If your screen of the laptop is at the right height, then the keyboard will not be, and vice versa.
• The screen should be kept at an arm’s length away  and at eye level, and your arms should be resting at right angles beside your body when using the keyboard.
• If you need to work on your laptop for a long time, a detachable keyboard and mouse are easier to use and adjust to your needs.
• Laptop stands can also be used to raise your laptop to the correct height.
• Various types of stands are available, some are designed to be used when you are out, while the others might form part of a permanent set-up in your home—it is worth spending time deciding which stand works best for you.

Using a laptop on the sofa

• Of course, some of the time spent on the laptop will be for pleasure apart from work, but you should take care of your back and neck.
• Laptop cushions can be a good option and are of comfortable and stable base for your machine and make it easier to use while sitting upright on a sofa.
• Try to keep your neck straight and don't hunch your back.
• Feet should be kept flat on the floor and your back against the back of the sofa. Cushions can be used to support your back if needed.