Reminder:

[arwen_lune]

"You have RSI, stupid!"

That's what my body is telling me, and I am really trying to heed the warnings and spare myself. Problem is that the pain is stress/tension, not physically doing too much. This is a very stressful uni-period with lots of projects in different groups; overwhelming really. I can feel myself gripping on to the mouse or pen with a lot of tension in the arms, but I can't stop doing it.

Anyone have any good tips for that sort of thing? I *really* don't want to break down in the beginning of the uni year. For now I'm back to wearing my wrist-braces

Comments

[megabitch.livejournal.com]

Try using a roller-ball/felt-tip pen, or even a fountain pen, instead of any kind of biro... the type of pen where pressing hard causes splodging. It reminds you not to grip so fiercely. Take a break as soon as you feel the slightest twinge... even if only for 5 minutes to flex your fingers/hands. And only sit at the computer for 20-25 minutes at a time before taking a ten minute break.

I have RSI in my right thumb (base of thumb into wrist... can't recall the joint name), only triggered by pen/pencil/brush overwork, so computer work isn't really a problem.

[ailbhe]

If you have a hand free, stretch it. *Whenever* you have a hand free. Sit properly; you ride, so that should be easy. Stand up and stretch once every 20 minutes if at all possible; at least, take a 10 minute break every hour, if you can't stand and stretch in lectures / tutorials. Stretch your arms and back all the way out, and bend your arms in again over your head to get maximum stretch in them. Do neck rolls; you can do these in tutorials etc probably.

You can buy padded tubes for over your pens, and I second heartily the type-of-pen comment from Kayla; the tubes worked wonders for me in secondary school; they act as shock absorbers and broaden the barrel of the pen, making the grip less tight. It may be possible to buy something similar for the mouse.

If you don't look after it, make sure you have someone available who can brush your hair, button your clothes, put on your socks, flush the loo after you, tie your shoelaces, cut up your food, make and pour your tea into polystyrene cups, open doors... Actually, just look after it with mad paranoia. It's easier.

[arwen-lune.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the stretching tips, I'll pay more attention to that from now on, and I am going to buy a whole bunch more felt-tipped pens. And yes I DO know what happens when you don't look after it; I was on disability pay for 6 months...

[supermouse.livejournal.com]

WorkRave, for when on the computer. It's as irritating as hell, but I swear it's saved my hands from an excess of mixing writing with online roleplay. And it's configurable.