Comfort Guidelines: Mouse & Keyboard

Make every day a better day...
Whether you spend a few minutes a month behind your computer or all day, these guidelines can help you stay more comfortable and productive. Follow these guidelines and enjoy a healthier relationship with the digital world around you.

Some research suggests that

• protracted periods of repetitive motion,
• an improperly set up work space,
• poor body position,
• bad work habits, and
• inappropriately selected equipment

may be associated with physical discomfort and injury to nerves, tendons, and muscles. If you ever feel pain, numbness, tingling, weakness, swelling, burning, cramping, or stiffness in your hands, wrists, arms, shoulder, neck, or back, when using your computer see a qualified health professional.

First, make sure that your workspace is set up properly...
Your keyboard and monitor should be directly in front of you with your mouse next to it. Place your mouse within easy reach so that your elbow can remain next to your side when using it.

Make sure you…
• Adjust the height of your chair and table as to have
the keyboard or mouse at or below elbow height.

• Use the adjustment mechanism on the keyboard, if necessary to obtain the proper keyboard height. All MEVA keyboards have adjustable legs that can be found underneath and to the back of the keyboard.

• Remember, if you use a mouse pad, take its thickness into consideration when making the height adjustments. The ideal mouse pad will be thin and not noticeable when being used on a table. Unless you are not working on a surface such as glass you will not require a mouse mat. If you do need to work on a surface such as glass, any MEVA G-Laser mouse and some MEVA Sub-Laser mice will not require a mouse mat.

• Have your feet well supported and your shoulders relaxed.

DO place materials on your desk according to their frequency of use:
• Frequent - Put materials you use the most closest to you.
• Occasional - Put materials that you use occasionally no farther than an arm's length away.
• Infrequent - Put your infrequently used materials further away, but consider convenience.

DO place documents you need while typing close to the monitor to reduce frequent head turning and change of eye focus. You can use a document holder to help.

Then relax…
Try to keep your shoulders, arms, wrists, and hands relaxed as you work, let them hang loosely at your sides for a moment, allowing them to dangle toward the floor and to become relaxed. Try to maintain this relaxed feeling while you work.

If you have a wrist rest or a palm rest, use it between keying tasks, not while typing. Contrary to popular belief, using it while typing may increase pressure against the hand and increase the chance of injury.

When you use your keyboard, mouse, or trackball, avoid placing or supporting your wrists on sharp edges or on your desktop.

• As you use your keyboard or mouse make sure that your elbow is next to your side.
• Keep your wrist relaxed and straight–don't bend it up, down, or to either side.
• Keep your shoulders relaxed.
• Do not hunch or shrug.
  
• DON’T rest your wrist on sharp edges.
• DON’T bend your wrist.

Practice good work habits...

• Take frequent short breaks. Get up and walk around at least a couple of times every hour or have a quick stretch.

• Vary your tasks throughout the day. Do something different with your hands and arms for a while.

• Use a light touch for better control of the mouse or keyboard.

• Use software features to customize your mouse to help you reduce stress to your arm, wrist, or hand by minimizing repetitive or awkward motions. If you can get used to the higher levels of mouse sensitivity in Windows your hand will have to move less.

Be alert to signs of discomfort...
If at any time during or after typing you feel pain, weakness, numbness, or tingling in your hands, wrists, elbows, shoulders, neck, or back, or if you have any reason to believe that you might be experiencing discomfort as a result of typing or from using the mouse, you should consult  a qualified health professional.

Pick the right device...
Ultimately, the right posture and work habits will only help you so much. To really enjoy the benefits of a healthy and comfortable working environment you need to pick equipment that is ergonomically designed. The MEVA range is entirely developed with ergonomic concepts in mind. Each device in the MEVA range is developed to meet the needs of a specific type of user. Try several devices, and ultimately pick the one that you feel most comfortable with.