Ergonomic Tips for using your Smartphone

Although smartphones enable us to conveniently �stay connected� with everyone and everything around us regardless of our physical location, they unfortunately promote pretty poor postures. It�s pretty typical to see someone on their phone with their head bent down, back slouching forward and fingers or thumbs speedily typing on a tiny keyboard or touchscreen. Combine these poor postures with prolonged use (the average person spends approximately 2.8 hours per day on their smartphone!), and you�ve got a recipe for injury.

how can you prevent your risk of injury when using your smartphone? Here are a few tips to try:

• Change the way you use the device. For example, hold your phone with the hand you use less frequently or type messages with your index finger to give your thumbs a rest
• Avoid positions that keep your elbow flexed for long periods of time. For example, use a hands-free device instead of holding the phone to your ear and move away from the computer so that your elbows are straighter as you type
• Take frequent breaks
• When possible, take advantage of word prediction or auto complete tools which can be used on your phone.
• Use your phone in a vertical position while typing; this will reduce the amount of reaching space your thumb will have to cover to push a key.
• Switch to a telephone call or your laptop if the texting (or surfing) session starts getting too lengthy.