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Taking care at work

by Stacy Haney
Risk Management/Workers Compensation
During the workday, many people forget to care for their bodies while conducting business at their workstations. The following are some things to keep in mind while at work.
  • The keyboard and mouse should be on the same level, allowing your arms to rest at a 90 degree angle when typing. This helps alleviate any pressure on the tendons in your wrist. 
  • The monitor should be directly in front of your keyboard, positioned at eye level, and an arm-length away. Many people put the monitor in one corner of their desk, causing strain on the neck when turning to see the monitor. 
  • Choose a chair that has good upper and lower back support. The seat bottom of the chair should leave approximately two inches behind the back of the knees. 
  • Your feet should rest comfortably on the ground.  If they do not, a footrest is a good idea. This helps take pressure off your lower back. 
  • Try to take short breaks every hour to loosen tired muscles. Walk around your office for a few minutes.
Weekly tips from the Healthy S.C. Challenge
Healthy South Carolina Challenge is a results-oriented initiative created by Gov. Mark Sanford and first lady Jenny Sanford to motivate people to start making choices that can improve health and well-being. Visit http://www.healthysc.gov.

Nutrition
Fat-free, processed foods like bagels, crackers, salty snacks, rice cake and condiments, etc. (fat-free dairy products are an exception), are comprised almost entirely of refined carbohydrates and/or sugar. These “great white hazards” lead to rapid surges in blood glucose and insulin levels that make us hungry and promote weight gain.

Physical Activity
Swimming a few lengths can involve most of the major muscle groups. Swimming is a great way to tone up and trim down because to swim you need to move your body against the resistance of the water. 

Editor's note: The preceding column was brought to you on behalf of Health First. Striving to bring various topics and representing numerous employee wellness organizations and committees on campus, this weekly column seeks to provide MUSC, MUHA, and UMA employees with current and helpful information concerning all aspects of health. 

Friday, July 28, 2006
Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island Publications at 849-1778, ext. 201.