Our Reader’s Tips:
I wear rubber gloves to get a better grip when
trying to move anything that’s a bit slippery.
Audrey G.,
Atlanta, GA
Before going shopping at the mall, I put a couple
of washcloths in my purse. They make it
more comfortable to carry the heavy shopping
bags.
Mary M.,
Washington, MO
I didn’t realize until after I began using
a headset for my phone that cradling the receiver
between my head and shoulder was the cause of
the headaches I’d been having for years.
C. Fields,
Denver, CO
This past year, I noticed that my fingers were
occasionally numb. After seeking help, I found
out that carrying a heavy shoulder bag on that
side all the time was the reason. Now I
switch sides regularly, especially when traveling.
Chris K.,
Burnsville, MN
My daughter was diagnosed with arthritis at
4 years old. Until then, I didn’t even
know that kids could be affected. Although she
is doing much better now (3 years later), I still
look for products that are easier to use like
your binders.
Jayne B.,
Indianapolis, IN
Share
Your Tips
Have any suggestions of your own
that can make tasks easier to perform around
the office or at home? Send them to us
at ideas@cardinalbrands.com. We’ll
post the most helpful ones on this page so that
others can benefit from your ideas.
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Finger Friendly Tips
Don’t invite trouble by ignoring
early symptoms or waiting for them to appear before
you change your habits. Teach yourself to be conscious
of whether or not you are performing tasks in an
ergonomically smart manner. Following are some
ideas to get you started.
Easier
Computing Tips
 With
the tremendous increase in email and web-based
resources, it’s likely that you spend far
more time at your computer today than you did
even just a few years ago. While computers may
have made many aspects of our jobs easier, they
can create problems when we use them for long
periods of time. Even minor discomfort in your
hands, wrists, shoulders, neck or back can be
warning signs, that if ignored can halt your
productivity, or worse yet, contribute to more
serious, chronic conditions.
Creating computer graphics or surfing the Internet
generally requires more mousing than
keyboarding. This can be especially tiring
to your hands, fingers and shoulders.
Your mouse should be at the same level as your
keyboard and easy to "catch" without
reaching forward or up. Use a wrist rest to keep
your wrist relaxed and comfortable while using
the mouse.
Easier
Keyboard Tricks
Microsoft Office or Word users – You
will conserve energy, and save time to boot, if
you’ll learn a few of the keyboard shortcuts
for the commands that you use most often. For example,
instead of reaching for the mouse to access the
tool bar icon or drop-down menu to SAVE your work,
you can simply hit the "S" key while
pressing down the Control button. Here are a few
more.
 To
copy CTRL+C- To paste CTRL+V
- To bold CTRL+B
- To italicize CTRL+I
- To print document CTRL+P
- New document CTRL+N
- Close document CTRL+W
- Save document CTRL+S
- Undo an action CTRL+Z
- Cancel an action ESC
Take a Spa
Break
Darrin Zeer, in the book “Office
Spa: Stress Relief for the Working Week” (Chronicle
Books) suggests this Keyboard Recovery tip: 1.
Spread moisturizer on your hands. 2. Interlace
fingers and, using right thumb, massage palm of
left hand. 3. For deeper treatment, search out
any sore spots; press with thumb and hold for 10
seconds. 4. Once you’ve found all the sore
spots, repeat, this time rubbing right palm with
left thumb. 5. Finish by interlacing fingers and
squeezing hands together.
 Take
a Power Pause
When spending long periods of time
in the same position, whether it be reading, computing,
sewing, crafting or driving, it’s important
to take short breaks to help prevent stiffness
and fatigue. If you tend to lose track of time,
set the timer on an inexpensive watch or kitchen
timer to remind yourself to pause and stretch your
muscles every 30 to 60 minutes.
Personal
Trainer’s In-Office Workout
Don Blue, Professional Trainer and
Licensed Massage Therapist recommends the following
stretches to avoid stiffness and muscle
fatigue when using your computer, writing
or even driving for extended time periods:
- Stretch your arms straight out in front
of you at shoulder height.
Open hands and stretch fingers widely. Relax
and repeat.
- Raise arms to shoulder level, elbows
bent and forearms in front of you. Without moving
your arms back, try squeezing your shoulder blades
together. Hold and repeat.
- Stand with your arms relaxed and hanging
straight down at your side. Your palms
will be naturally turned toward your body.
Rotate your hands to face your palms forward.
Hold for a bit and release.
- Squeeze your hands into a tight fist.
Release after a count of five and then curl your
fingers and squeeze tightly for a few seconds.
- Raise your shoulders up toward your
ears as if shrugging. Hold for a few
seconds, breath deeply then exhale and relax.
Select
Easier Products
Help yourself by choosing
products that reduce unnecessary stress on your joints and muscles,
and that make tasks easier to perform. The Arthritis Foundation
compiles an extensive list of such products in their annual buying
guide, and they also have a program for evaluating products.
Those that are determined to be uniquely easier to use are awarded
the Arthritis Foundation Ease-of-Use Commendation. To find
out more, visit www.arthritis.org.
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