The majority of people these days spend hours typing on a keyboard for various purposes including school, work, and personal. Typing is an essential skill that everyone must have command over in this digital age but it can take a toll on your body if you type for long enough. Typing fatigue and repetitive strain injuries (RSIs) are real and quite common among people who type for hours on a daily basis.
Typing fatigue and RSI are common issues that can lead to pain and stiffness in the hands and wrists. If you are someone who types for long hours on a daily basis, then this post is for you, as we have discussed some practical techniques to reduce typing fatigue and avoid repetitive strain injuries.
Optimize Your Workspace Ergonomics
The most important technique to prevent typing and RSIs is to optimize your workspace ergonomics. This can be done by choosing a comfortable chair and adjusting the chair height so that your feet are flat on the floor and your knees are at a comfortable 90-degree angle. Along with this, your work desk should also be of a height that allows your elbows to rest comfortably while typing.
In addition, you should also position both your keyboard and mouse close to your body to keep your wrists straight and place the monitor at eye level, about an arm’s length away to maintain a neutral neck position and reduce strain on eyes and neck.
Use a Proper Typing Technique
Using a proper typing technique is very essential when it comes to typing for long hours and preventing typing fatigue. Using a proper typing technique helps you type more efficiently and reduces strain on both your hands and wrist. Learning touch typing with proper home key placement of fingers and using all fingers instead of just a few can distribute the workload and help a lot.
Avoid bending your wrist upwards or downwards and typing too hard, as these can increase strain and lead to a lot of hand and wrist discomfort. When you are typing on your own or taking a timed typing test at TypingTest.co, ensure that you are using a proper typing technique to improve your efficiency and reduce the risk of RSIs.
Invest in Ergonomic Keyboards and Accessories
Nowadays you can find ergonomic keyboards and accessories in the market that are designed to reduce strain and improve comfort while typing. When buying a new keyboard for your workspace, consider buying an ergonomic keyboard like a split keyboard, an angled keyboard, or a keyboard with low-force keys. To improve wrist support and comfort, consider investing in a padded wrist rest that can provide support and keep your wrist in a neutral position.
Take Frequent Breaks
No matter how good your workspace ergonomics or typing technique is, typing for longer durations can lead to muscle fatigue and RSIs. This can be easily prevented by taking regular breaks and stretching your hands and wrists. The 20-20-20 Rule, which states that after every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break to look at something 20 feet away should be followed. This can reduce the eye strain and give your hands a quick rest.
Additionally, stretching your hands, arms, and wrists can relieve excess tension and improve circulation which can prevent muscle stiffness and discomfort. So regardless of how ergonomic your workspace or keyboard is, don’t forget to take short, frequent breaks.