If you pick out an office worker at random, chances are they work with a laptop instead of a desktop computer. A laptop is practically a necessity for most workplaces nowadays. Not only do employees need to work at a computer, they also need to be flexible and mobile. Whether this is because they need to carry some of their work home with them, or because it's easier to carry them around for work purposes.
But let's be real, laptops aren't all that safe to work with. Laptops come with some real health risks that you should be aware of. Let's take a look at some of these and see how to work safely with a laptop.
Health Risks of Using a Laptop
Working with a laptop can cause a number of problems that desktop computers don't. For one thing, think about the way laptops are mostly used: either on a desk, or in your lap. Both of these are bad, for different reasons.
When working with a laptop on your desk, you risk two things: your arm, and your neck. By extension, this also means you're putting your shoulder and back at risk as well.
Let's look at each of these in turn.
On The Desk
When you use your laptop on your desk, more often than not, you're going to end up hunched over on your desk just to use it properly. From typing to scrolling to looking at the screen, you'll likely find yourself bent over the desk to use it. In the short run, this isn't too much of a problem but in the long run, this can create some serious issues.
For one thing, it can put strain and pressure on your neck and back muscles, which can result in long-term and chronic pain. It can also cause further problems as the pain extends down your arm, and spreads to your wrist and fingers.
Using a trackpad can also cause pain in your arm and wrist, and puts you at risk of problems of nerve compression, such as carpal tunnel syndrome.
On Your Lap
Using your laptop on your lap is no better, even though you'd assume a laptop is made to be used in your lap. Using your laptop on your lap can cause all the problems that using it on your desk can: posture problems, which result in muscle strain and tension and long-term problems.
There are also some extra risks attached, though. For one thing, laptops emit a lot of heat, and while this isn't enough to cause burns, long-term exposure can end up burning the skin a bit. This can cause discoloration if it happens regularly.
Laptops also emit radiation, which can be dangerous. Placing your laptop on your lap puts your body directly in contact with the laptop, so this risk only increases.
So, knowing that laptops can be dangerous, how do you use them safely?
Using a Laptop Safely
Place Your Laptop At Eye Level
To use your laptop safely, you need to make sure that the main problem of posture is resolved. Your laptop shouldn't be so low that you have to stay hunched over it.
The best way to use a computer - whether that's a laptop or a desktop computer - is to make sure the screen is at eye level when you look straight ahead. That is, your eyes should be level with the top of the screen, or a couple of inches lower, when your neck is completely straight.
It should also be kept at an arm's distance away from you so that you can see the screen properly. If you feel that the screen is too small and you can't see what's on it, you can adjust the font size, but bringing it too close can strain your eyes and cause fatigue.
Use Peripherals
However, keeping your laptop screen at eye level causes some problems. Laptops come with the keyboard, trackpad and screen attached together, which means that if you keep your laptop at a higher point, you'll need to reach up with your arms to move the cursor or type.
This can cause pain in your arms and shoulders, since it puts pressure on your muscles. Your arms should be by your side, bent at a 90 degree angle at the elbow to type, while your wrists should be in a neutral position. Any position other than this will cause you major problems in the long-run.
However, if you bring your laptop down to the desk to follow these steps, you could cause pain in your neck and shoulders because of the posture problem.
The answer to this is to use peripheral devices. Yes, it seems a bit redundant to have an extra keyboard and mouse attached when the laptop already comes with one, but if you have to work at your computer long-term, then this is the correct way to go about it. Your laptop's keyboard and trackpad can be kept for short-term use in emergencies when you need to use your laptop away from your workstation.
Use a Laptop Stand
Another way to resolve the problem is to use a laptop stand. These are designed to help you find the most ergonomic position to use your laptop in so that you don't end up with any of the problems that laptops can cause.
Flexispot Classic Riser
FlexiSpot's ClassicRiser Standing Desk Converter is an excellent example of a laptop riser. This stand allows you to easily adjust the height of your laptop screen so you can work easily, while also allowing you to stand while you work. The riser is capable of holding up to 35 lb of load, so you can keep your things on it without worrying about the weight being too much.
All you need to do to lift the stand is to squeeze the hand bar which will make the stand rise on its own.
The ClassicRiser also fits the height range for most people. In fact, depending on the size of the desk (at 31"), it can even cater to people up to 6'5" tall.
The stand also provides a lot of space for you to keep peripherals, such as a full-sized keyboard and a mouse so you can work with ease. It also has enough room for you to position your wrist in the right way, therefore protecting you from any problems in your hands.
Since the vertical adjustment leaves some space underneath, you won't have to worry about it taking up a lot of deskspace. You can keep your papers and stationery and other such items underneath while you work, so you don't have to reach out for them every time.
The biggest benefit of this standing desk converter is that it's designed to make sure you don't end up slouching over while you work, which can help you maintain a good posture and prevent back problems.
The desk riser has a very elegant and chic design which can fit into any workspace regardless of what kind of aesthetics the room has.
The riser doesn't have to be limited to laptops either - you can easily fit two monitors on the top, and a keyboard and mouse to allow you a better working experience.
Having good posture is a necessity to make sure you stay safe and keep yourself from developing all sorts of health problems just because you used your laptop the wrong way.
Take Breaks
Most importantly - and this applies whether or not you work with a laptop, a desktop or anything else - remember to take frequent breaks! Most of us undervalue our breaks, and assume that taking breaks is a sign of laziness. This is completely untrue, and for office workers who spend a long time at their desk in front of their computers, it is actually a necessity!
Despite all the benefits laptops have provided us, we can't deny that they have also contributed to the amount of sitting we do per day. We spend a long time sitting at the office, and then a longer time sitting at home as we try to get rid of the exhaustion of the work day.
This has made our lifestyles very unhealthy. However, taking breaks, while not powerful enough to save you from the negative effects, do manage to reduce them a little bit.
This is especially true for computer users who need to stretch their bodies and relieve any muscle tension that may have built up every now and then. Take breaks every 20-30 minutes if you can, or at least one per hour. This doesn't mean you have to spend an hour working and then an hour chilling, but a 5 minute break every hour is good enough.
We already take these breaks, but don't realize that we're spending them the wrong way. Instead of using your phone during your break, take some time to stretch your muscles and walk around the room. It'll go a long way in protecting you from the problems that computers - especially laptops - can cause.
