Computers: A Health Hazard

As an IT student, I spend most of my time in front of my computer. I do chatting, researching, playing games, programming, and other stuffs that could be done. I can do a lots of things, lots of work, and somehow gain money by just sitting plenty of hours in my computer. But is this wise? Doesn't it give lots of health risk? A little article reading online gave me some answers.

Using the computer for long hours gives us these following bad health side effects;

(1) Self Posture and Muscular Tension
(2) Breathing Manner and Blood Circulation
(3) Radiation
(4) Eye Health
(5) Digestive System


Self Posture and Muscular Tension. Sitting long hours in our computer lets us move minimally. Just our fingers and wrist constantly moving or a little slouching and leaning on our chair. This can have a direct effect on our spine and leads to muscular tension that may affect us for the rest of our lives.

Breathing Manner and Blood Circulation. Staying still for a long period of time slows down our breathing manner, minimizing our oxygen intake. This leads to minimal oxygen circulation in our blood affecting our brain, muscles, and major organs. As a result, our bodies and brains are incapable of working in their maximum level. It affects everything including headaches, low sickness immunity, mental inefficiency, physical fitness, and our hearts.

Radiation. Radiation emitted by our computer screen is not good, especially if we are exposed for long period of time.

Eye Health. Our eyes are designed to look for different shapes, colors, and angles. In able to practice these can lead to serious eye damage.

Digestive System. Food digestion is a major activity in our body. Food will have to be properly digested for better circulation of supplements. Our digestive muscles should be able to work freely. Eating in front of the computer is not suggested.

Knowing all these risks, how can we keep things in balance and maintain a good health? First and foremost, try to stand up and stretch for 10-15 minutes per hour. Flex your body and your muscles. Try to move more, even dance if you could. Second, take deep breathes while you're working. When you're at your break, loosen up your lungs and let your blood be filled with oxygen. Third, let your eyes look far for a moment, and let it rest as well. Let it see other things besides your monitor. Fourth, drink regularly. Always keep a bottle of fresh water in your desk. And lastly, don't forget to take regular breaks. Breathe some fresh air, walk around, and relax your mind.

After all these readings I realized that no matter how good you are with computers, no matter how fast you work when you're using it, it's always nice to have a habit of taking care of your health. What will you do with all your money if you're a sickly person? Spend it all for cure? Be health wise.

Lawas ra puhunan!