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Archive for August, 2010

Increase Productivity with a Good Chair

Author: C. Sumner 31.08.2010
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It is often assumed that sitting is a relaxed position for the body; however, sitting for long stretches of time actually puts enormous stress on your shoulders and back. The key to relaxing your body while sitting is to maintain good posture. The chair in which you sit has the single greatest impact on your posture and, eventually, your productivity.

Here are some useful keys to choosing a desk chair that supports good posture and minimizes pain:

First, consider the place where you sit, also known as the seat pan. When trying a chair, sit down to confirm that the pan is wide enough for a comfortable fit, with at least an inch to spare. Your weight should also rest evenly across the pan to prevent points of pressure, and after sitting for an hour, the chair should still feel comfortable. The seat should not be too deep that it touches the back of your knees.

Secondly, look at the height of the chair. Any good office chair must have height adjustment capability. It is also best if you can adjust the height while in a seated position, to get the correct position. Good posture requires that both feet are placed firmly on the ground.

Thirdly, evaluate the backrest. The lumbar support is vital to a comfortable work chair. An adjustable back rest is a nice option, but not necessary. Without this feature, you need to find a chair that comfortably fits the curve of our back. It is also helpful to have a chair that will easily recline for different positions; it is hard on your body to be in a single position for an entire day.

Lastly, determine if you need armrests. When typing, it is important to properly support your arms and hands, without adding strain to your wrists. The more flexibility you have in the armrests, the better support you can achieve. The height of the armrests should definitely be adjustable. When set correctly, your bent elbows should rest on them while your arms are in a relaxed position at your sides. It can also be helpful, but is not necessary, to be able to move them entirely out of the way. Occasionally typing without the armrests can decrease the pressure on the ulnar nerve in your elbow.

A good office chair will encourage good posture, and protect you against pain and discomfort caused by poor body positioning. Use these tips to carefully evaluate your office work chair. An ergonomic chair that fits properly and adjusts to meet your needs can impact your comfort and productivity each day.

- C. Sumner


5 Tips for a Ergonomic Workstation

Author: C. Sumner 31.08.2010
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Many times you cannot control your work environment, but there are several small ways you can add comfort to your work space. Here are five tips for creating an ergonomic and productive workstation.

Adjust your chair. The foundation of good posture starts with your chair. Begin by raising or lowering the seat of your chair until you feet rest firmly on the floor. If you need additional height, you can use a foot rest. The backrest of your chair should be adjusted next. Raise or lower it to best fit the shape of your back. Additional lumbar support can be added if your chair does not properly support your lower back. Lastly, make sure your arm rests are not too high. They should be low enough to allow your arms to move freely as you type or mouse.

Move your monitor. The best position for your monitor is immediately in front of you, at eye level. If your work surface is too low, a monitor riser is easy to install and will give you the needed height.

Use a document holder. Looking down to read from a notepad while typing causes soreness in the neck and shoulders. Using a holder for your notepad or document can eliminate this pain. This little tool can also significantly improve your productivity.

Wear a phone headset. Many people find it frustrating to sit with idle hands, while holding a phone receiver. But cradling the phone between your shoulder and ear in order to write will stain your shoulders and neck. A headset will free your hands for other tasks and make your workstation more comfortable.

Reposition your keyboard. The optimum position for your keyboard is just below the height of your elbow, sloping slightly downward, away from your body. From this natural stance your hands can remain relaxed even when reaching for the top keys. Using an adjustable keyboard tray to modify your keyboard position will reduce discomfort and maximize your productivity.

Creating an ergonomic workstation can be as simple as following these few suggestions. The outcome will be a more comfortable and productive work experience.

- C. Sumner


Ergonomics for Laptops

Author: C. Sumner 31.08.2010
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Laptops are amazing in how they provide portability and flexibility to any computer user. However, laptops are designed for compact mobility, not ergonomics. Long term use can take its toll on your body. Take a few minutes to consider how you use your laptop and consider these tips to maximize comfort and productivity.

When sitting at a computer, the goal is to maintain a natural body posture. This posture reduces the strain on your muscles caused from sitting and typing for long periods of time. Because of the very design of laptops, a neutral position is not possible, but a few additional items can provide the ergonomics and comfort you need. There are three main areas that can help encourage good posture while using a laptop.

Keyboard: In a neutral typing position, your keyboard should rest just below the height of your elbow, sloping slightly downward, away from your body. In this position, your hands can remain relaxed even when reaching for the top keys. Using a wireless mini keyboard with your laptop provides flexibility to find the best typing position even when traveling.

Chair: Next adjust your chair. Your feet should firmly touch the floor, without pressure behind the knees.You also need sufficient lumbar support in the back rest. A neutral position allows the muscles in your back, arms, and shoulders to relax while you type. Even when you travel, take the time to adjust your chair height, and consider getting portable lumbar support that you can use anywhere. A rolled up towel can give you a temporary quick fix for back support.

Monitor: To create the best position for your neck, your computer screen should be directly in front of you and at eye-level, so that you can clearly see it without bending you neck. To achieve this monitor placement with a laptop often requires elevating your laptop above the surface of your desk or using a separate monitor. In a tight spot, a phone book might give just enough lift.

A mini keyboard, a monitor shelf, and adjustable lumbar support can provide every laptop user with the tools necessary to maintain good posture. These three areas are key in providing a healthy, productive experience for any laptop user.

- C. Sumner


5 Ways to Use White Noise

Author: C. Sumner 31.08.2010
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White noise is the art and science of using consistent background noise to cover up distracting and even irritating sounds in an environment. White noise can be invaluable when you need to tune out the excess noise around you. It can create a more relaxed environment with greater productivity and less distraction.

Here are a few of the ways you can utilize white noise in your daily life.

1. For work. On average, a person loses up to two hours of work time each day due to distractions. The constant conversations and ringing phones can significantly lower your productivity. White noise at your desk can help you tune out these distractions. Better yet, sound masking throughout the office space can provide this benefit to the entire office.

2. For sleep. Do you ever have trouble falling (or staying) asleep because of annoying sounds? White noise covers up interruptive sound, helping you sleep through street noise, or unfamiliar hotel sounds while traveling. The result is a better night’s sleep at home or on the road.

3. For kids. Sound machines can work wonders with kid’s sensitive sleep schedules. If you need your children to share a room for the first time, or you want your children to sleep through the added noise of guests, white noise is a great solution. The unfamiliar sounds of a sleeping sibling or the noise of conversations down the hall can all be masked by white noise. Your children will sleep through the extra noise for a full night’s sleep.

4. For relaxation. At the end of the day, you want to relax at home. Don’t let the barking dog or car horns outside ruin your evening. You can relax to the sounds of nature found on many household sound machines. Enjoy the sound of the sea as you sit down to read a good book.

5. For tinnitus. Ringing in your ears, also known as tinnitus can be very distracting and uncomfortable. Sound therapy can lower the discomfort of tinnitus and allow you to relax.

Personal white noise provides a more focused environment, free of intrusive and distracting noise. This can increase your productivity at work, or provide you with a more restful night’s sleep. The benefits of white noise can also be shared with the entire office through the installation of sound masking. Try sound masking for yourself, and begin enjoying the benefits of improved concentration and better sleep!

- C. Sumner


Boosting Productivity with White Noise

Author: C. Sumner 31.08.2010
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What is white noise?

The term ‘white noise’ is derived from the same concept as white light. White light includes all the colors of the spectrum. In the same way, white noise includes sound from the entire audible spectrum. With today’s technology, white noise is specifically focused on the sound range of human speech.

First, let’s consider the idea of adding noise to a work environment in order to improve the sound quality. Picture for a moment that you are in a dark room and someone across the room is randomly blinking a flashlight at you. The flashlight is very distracting and even irritating. But what happens if someone turns on the overhead lights? You hardly notice the flashlight because it is covered by the bright overhead lights.

White noise can function the same way as the overhead lights. If you add, non-specific white noise in the back ground, you hardly notice the street sounds, nearby conversations and other distractions.

Does white noise really work?

Yes. The principles behind it may seem implausible, the application has helped many people improve concentration and productivity. Government agencies were the first to apply this technology because of its effectiveness. Other industries have also greatly benefited from the privacy and productivity white noise can provide. The result is less distraction, greater productivity, and increased confidentiality.

Why use white noise?

White noise helps cover interruptive sounds. It can be used in numerous situations where you need to get away from the noises.

Less distraction at work – A local white noise machine masks conversations and other office noise around you, helping you better concentrate on your work. Sound masking installed in the entire office space will benefit the entire office.

Improved privacy and confidentiality – In industries requiring greater confidentiality (such as hospitals, government offices, counseling, etc.), sound masking systems use white noise is designed to cover human speech so people who aren’t in the conversation cannot hear the conversation.

Less interrupted sleep – White noise can help you sleep through street noise, or unfamiliar sounds while traveling, resulting in a better night’s sleep.

Sound therapy for tinnitus – The discomfort cause by the ringing in your ears can be lessened by the use of sound therapy.

White noise by not be for everyone, but many people have used sound masking to increase their productivity at work and decrease their interruptions at night. There are free white noise generators and portable sound machines that make it easy to try for yourself. The benefits are definitely worth it!

- C. Sumner


Tips for Healthier Keyboarding

Author: C. Sumner 31.08.2010
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Are your shoulders sore after a day at your computer? Do your hands or wrists ache when you spend too much time at your keyboard? Here are a few tips to help you stay healthier and pain-free while typing.

Move your keyboard. Make sure your keyboard is sitting flat, or with a slight negative slope away from your body. The best height is about two inches above your legs, slightly below your elbows. Always center the space bar to your body. Using a keyboard tray makes these adjustments simple for any user.

Use good posture. Remember your mom telling you to sit straight? She was right. Good posture is the most important key to pain-free typing. If your chair doesn’t provide enough support for your lower back, consider adding an easy-to-install, adjustable lumbar support.

Keep your wrists straight. Your arms and hand should form a straight line from your elbow through your wrist and down to your middle finger. Never bend your wrists to the side, or up and down, in order to reach a higher key, or to use your mouse.

Float your hands. Your hands and wrists should always hover over the keys, with your hands relaxed. Do not rest them on your desk or wrist rest while you are typing.

Only rest on your palms. Between keystrokes you can support the weight of your hands on your palms. Do not put any pressure or weight on the wrists; any surface pressure there can agitate the sensitive carpal tunnel area.

Press the keys softly. There should never be a need to pound on the keys. It requires only a small amount of pressure to actually press a key. This one change in your habits can significantly reduce the muscle strain in your hands and arms.

Never reach for a key. If your hands are properly floating over the keys, it should be an easy motion to move your entire hand and arm until you fingers hover over the needed key. To reduce the wear and strain on your muscles and tendons, never stretch your fingers to reach higher keys.

Curve your hands. As you float over the keys, with your wrists and arms forming a straight line, curving your hands into a loose ball comes almost naturally. Pay close attention that your smallest finger and thumb are not straight.

Use both hands for two-key combos. In typing class, they always stress using both hands whenever you need the Shift key; press Shift with one hand and the letter with the opposite hand. Trying to perform these actions with one hand will cause unnecessary wear and muscle strain.

This list may seem daunting, but these tips can save you strain on your body and protect you from pain and injury. Consider using a keyboard tray to reposition your keyboard, and adding additional lumbar support to your chair to help improve your posture. Even small changes in your posture and typing habits can make a huge impact on your keyboarding health.

- C. Sumner


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It is not uncommon to see people who don’t believe that home flood barriers is necessary. Unfortunately, however, even those living in low-risk areas can still become the victims of a bad storm. Take a moment and consider investing in flood protection barriers for your home or business. It’s the job of these barriers to keep water out of your home, protecting you, your family, your home, and your valuables.

Most of the time, flooding is a risk anywhere. Many people who live in dry areas don’t think they ever need to worry about flooding. However, this is a dangerous misconception, as dry areas are extremely prone to flooding. In any given year, billions of dollars of damage are done to people’s homes, and many even lose their lives in flood-related deaths. Think of all the things in your home you would never want to lose. You probably have at least a few, so aren’t these things worth protecting from the worst case scenario? Don’t let one bad storm take away what’s dear to you.

All sorts of flood protection products are on the market that make protecting your home easy. Take note of your individual circumstances and your specific situation. This will tell you if you should invest in permanent or removable flood protection barriers. This is an important decision. You want to make sure that your home and family are always protected.

Glass flood barriers are made of glass and lightweight aluminum. While serving as a flood barrier, this design also serves as hurricane protection. This type of barrier is permanent. While you may have qualms about permanent protection being applied to your home or business, these barriers are made to integrate into your building’s design. They are made to not look out of place or bulky. There are many benefits to having this sort of flood protection barrier. First of all, you won’t have to worry about attaching and detaching the barriers whenever they are or aren’t needed. Also, you won’t need to handle specific tools, parts, or pieces. Another benefit is the fact that you will not have to find storage space for your home flood protection while they aren’t in use.

These barriers are amazingly easy to transport and install because they are made of super lightweight aluminum. While they are 60% less heavy than steel, they retain all the strength. Because they are so lightweight, you won’t require the help of a professional to move or install them, and they can be set up by yourself in a hurry. These barriers are also easy to store and maintain, thanks to their lightness.

Take the special standards and certifications established by things like FEMA when looking for flood barriers. These are important as they set a standard for barriers, ensuring you are fully protected during a storm.

Your family and home are important to you, so don’t miss this opportunity to ensure their protection. Don’t want until it’s too late. And aluminum flood shields are specially crafted to keep all of the storm outside, keeping you, your family, and your valuables safe on the inside. Tons of flood mitigation are in the market, and all you need to do is find the right one for you. While a storm may be short, ensure your family is safe for years to come.

- Ben Pate


Become More Efficient With a New Virtual Mailbox

Author: Evelyn Grazini 31.08.2010
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If you’ve ever had an important letter or bill lost because it didn’t get forwarded to your new mailing address, I have great news for you! Now you no longer have to worry about losing important bills or notices because you forgot to notify someone of your new address. End the pain of snail mail today with a virtual mailbox service.

People who move or travel out of town frequently know exactly what I am talking about. Your mail gets forwarded, and the coupons are no longer good, your bill has been sent to a collection agency, and your car registration arrives after your license plates expire.

You can solve part of the problem by asking the postal service to hold your mail at the post office until you return to town.

How will you know until you get home, though, if an important letter or document arrived while you were gone? If you had a online post office box, (sometimes known as a virtual mailbox), you could easily access your mail through the Internet whenever you want.

You wouldn’t have to spend your entire vacation wondering whether that important piece of mail arrived – you could check yourself and know for sure!

If you don’t want to ever open another piece of mail again, you won’t have to. When you subscribe to this virtual mail service, you can instruct the virtual post office box to either shred an unopened piece of mail, or to open the envelope and scan the content for your review. You can even order a piece of mail to be archived permanently through this virtual mailbox service.

Never deal with junk mail again! Additionally, since another person is actually opening or handling your mail, you can save the time it would normally take you to open and sort through all your mail. Finally, you will never again have to worry about sending out address change forms to make sure you get your mail after you subscribe to a virtual mail box.

Online post office box rates are very competitive, and usually you will pay less than if you had to rent a post office box from the U.S. Postal Service, or other mailbox pick up places. You can stop worrying about security, too. You won’t have to fret over the loss of a mailbox key, or going to get your mail when no one else is around.

With your virtual mailbox, your mail can be worry-free again. Take advantage of today’s technology and rent your own online mail box today – you’ll be very glad you did!

You can have a Prestigious Permanent Mail Address and View All your Postal Mail Online from Anywhere. Find out how at http://www.reawakener.com/virtualmailbox.php

- Evelyn Grazini