Families & Visitors

Staying Healthy During "Sitting Season"

December is one of those intense “sitting-a-lot” times, as students prepare final papers/projects and study for final exams. Here are some tips to share as you help them stay healthy during this serious time…

At the Computer
When students are sitting, they are often at a computer. To help your student stay ergonomically healthy, encourage him to:

Make sure the top of your monitor is at or just below eye level

Keep your head and neck balanced and in line with your torso

Relax your shoulders

Keep elbows close to your body and supported

Support your lower back

Have wrists and hands in line with your forearms

Make adequate room for your keyboard and mouse

Keep your feet flat on the floor

Take screen breaks every 20-30 minutes to give your body a break

For a detailed checklist to assess your computer workstation.

The Sitting Life
Studies are mounting that say sitting for long stretches of time can lead to a shorter, less robust life, as well as conditions like kidney disease, diabetes and heart disease. So, reducing the amount of time we spend sitting is necessary.

Tips to help reduce the amount of “sit time” include:

Stand up for two minutes for every 20 that you spend sitting

When watching TV, stand up during commercials

Try to watch fewer than two hours of TV per day to be in a lower risk group

Stand during telephone calls

Be sure to keep on exercising, too!

Sources: www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/computerworkstations/; WebMD Health News, 10/15/12; The New York Times, 10/17/12

Computer Vision Syndrome
According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), nearly 80 percent of those working at a computer for more than two hours a day suffer from the symptoms of Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS). Symptoms include:

Headaches

Loss of focus

Burning/tired eyes

Double/blurred vision

Neck and shoulder pains

Encourage your student to keep this in mind and to speak with his eye doctor about any symptoms he may be noticing.

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The Office of Residence Life at James Madison University is committed to designing and maintaining a caring environment that encourages academic success, respect, personal growth and responsibility to one's community.

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