How to spend at the computer all day, and not only do not get tired, but also to gain strength

This material is taken from blog Yuri Balabanov, You, our beloved readers probably already know very well.

Is this familiar to you - after a few hours at the computer suddenly starts stabbing in the right shoulder blade and right arm grows cold and numb?

- Probably, I anoxia - we talk and go to fresh air, go for a run.

While jogging revealed another surprise: the neck and chest as if an invisible ring compresses. As we sat at the computer, everything was in order, and all of a sudden... The shoulders are heavy, if they hang a backpack camp, and the more we run, the clearer it becomes: "Today, with the running will not work. Today with me that something is wrong. "

That "something wrong", we finally found out the next day, when he sat down for his usual workplace and touching his hand to "mouse", we suddenly find that we can not firmly grasp her hand: the fingers do not obey, and shoulder pressing reappears severity.

I have described only a nuisance, presented to us in the age of universal computerization: tunnel syndrome hands. Yet we can remember cervical dislocation, curvature of the spine, thrombosis, arthritis ...

With the advent of in our lives "touch-screen", scientists have diagnosed a new disease called Affenhand - «hand gorilla ": a disorder of the nerve endings and blood flow in a tense hand, forced to remain for a long time Aweigh.

So what to do? Unsubscribe from computers? It is hardly possible. And then, perhaps, to blame does not computers, and we are with you ...

I like a man who works at a computer 15 hours a day, answer is clear: do not blame the computer, and those who worked with him. But it is easily fixable. Enough specific knowledge and a little practice, and your relationship with your PC turned into more than friendship. You will be able to master the change in 15 hours, and not only do not get tired, but gain strength and inspiration for further work. Your vision will improve, but the pain in the spine or in the hand you will recall, as a ridiculous incident.

So, whether to spend at the computer all day is possible, and not only do not get tired, but also to gain strength... Extends the operating SPACE

- Maybe you want to say, do not expand the space, and "organize the workplace?" - Annette asked me, remembering that last summer I arranged myself in one of the abandoned piers whole private office with a large desk, a couple of benches, garbage mountain, and, though rusty, but the real portal crane.

Not. I had in mind is not the organization, namely the extension; and workplace and workspace. There is no such person who would not have been organized workplace; but the space for the free flow of ideas and free body position as time many are missing. And with this and start all ills.

But before talking about the victory over illnesses, we define some terms. Namely, find out what the "work area" and that the meaning of "workspace".

• Workplace - a place where our direct working tool: the computer, sewing machine, or a notebook and pencil.
• Workspace - a defined environment in which we are able to creatively and productively to think. The wider and more spacious than the medium, the wider and freer we think. (Axiom)

PART ONE. Traps №1: Functional Area

In this age of laptop does not cost anything to go to work on the sea shore, in a cafe in the basement of his house (that nobody distracted) or to a disco (to distract and inspired). But…

BUT! It is important to understand one thing. We can get into with his laptop in a closet Pope Carlo, and feel it is free, easy and more productive; and we can go to a computer on the shore of the vast ocean, and after three hours of work to get the vertebral clamps, thrombosis and tunnel syndrome hands.

All this because in our heads one cliché sits grafted to us from childhood, when at school we were seated behind the green, with a slope, the party aggressively adjusting our slightly bent back. Cliche is called the "functionality". Someone very caring wrote a set of rules - as the most functionally must be arranged a place where people create mental labor. And this place has been called "functional area", which became a trap for our body and mind ...

Here is a typical diagram of the corner in which the person placed as the inclusion - in a piece of amber. In this remarkable construction accounted for everything: the removal of the head from the monitor screen, and the position of the arms, legs, thighs, neck, and availability of each module - in such a system, all modules (printer, scanner, etc.) are usually located at a distance arm. In an extreme case, playfully fingering legs, you can go on a chair with wheels from under your knees planchette clamping table and a ride on one and a half meters to the side, to the printer.

So everything is considered a powerful hurricane, except for one fact. Indian yoga for generations are working on an incredibly difficult task: to maintain the body's vital functions and activity in its complete immobility. Only outstanding practices achieve this.

We, the non-yogis, such miracles does not shine and does not shine. Moreover - in all ages of human history, people were punished by deprivation of freedom of movement is. Immobility was severe torture, of which people were going crazy!

Perhaps that is why "functional area", as it appears above, to the pain in the ankles reminded me of another "functional area", invented by the Church in the XI century.

This no less intricate design is called "Corner of torture." Please note - the same pose in the subject, the same horror in the wide-open eyes, the same stiffness of arms and legs. Only instead of the modern monitor note itself takes a real, live instructor. Assistants standing behind the subjects, vigilantly monitor the angle of the bend of their elbows, feet and other body parts. This is because the chairs until, alas, not quite perfect: yet not invented armrests. But by the end of the sixteenth century, the Inquisition will correct this defect.

Bare tree cover leather upholstery (right model); will be the armrests and even the headrest! Under the "fifth point" provides soft bowl for emptying of the stomach and bladder. "Leg" of a chair still does not change its length, but the chair is able to spin on its axis! Ride the chair can not, so the test did not run away from the clutches of the Inquisition, but in general the torture chair of the XVI century was a success.

Present a torture chair of the XX century (model left) wins only in the simplicity and in the presence of the stand, fitted with wheels - to twist the legs and to move from one module to another, without taking on the fifth seat point.

I want to make a reservation in advance that I'm not against office chairs. I am opposed to, we "played by their rules", entering in either an ergonomic shape instead exist in the form of unique laws of its own body. On the other hand, my experience has shown that productivity does not depend on an ergonomic chair (chair).

But back to the system of "functional area", functionality and compactness which is not in doubt. Everything is thought to for we never tore the fifth point of the seat of the working day. Only now I have to go to the toilet on his own two feet: the modern the torture chair, in contrast to his older brother, does not provide soft Basin. An obvious flaw. But in general, the situation is clear. Here's how the system looks at life.

• Table cut a corner (on it and the corner) and buries the corner.
• The keyboard is hidden, advancing only when necessary.
• Flick of the wrist you are free to hold out to disk (left CD, DVD right) if springing jump on a chair, you can grab a sheet of paper comes out of the printer; and for the complete immobility of the body provided remote control (otherwise, how do you turn on the printer something! Do not stand on the legs!

On top of all this splendor look Bozhenka and his mother, highlighting the functional area your radiant gaze (which is why, probably a table lamp is not provided) and sprinkling the map-table in tears of sorrow for humanity as a whole and per person separately.

PART TWO. Who came up with this beauty ...

Modern, functional area, as opposed to his long-time colleague, came up with is not the Church, and Science., This design was created in the seventies, when the USSR and America began an exciting competition for space exploration. The scientists and engineers of both countries have developed not only a perfect launch vehicles, but not tirelessly worked to simplify the life and work of an astronaut in a closed, very limited space. Thus, it astronautics we owe a deep-rooted belief that the workplace should be as compact as possible.

In terms of space it was true. But not on Earth, where the person lives in a spacious room with windows overlooking the blooming gardens and the bustling Avenue; in buildings that are not only room for work, but also other areas, as well as loggias, balconies, toilets, bathrooms.

Yes, in a spaceship, we constrained by certain conditions. But is it possible, working in the world, resist the desire to get up from the table and go to the balcony, absorbing the fresh air brought by the wind from the lively to watch the "peak" six-lane avenue!!! A bathroom, where you can retire and rinse your face with cool water or a kitchen where you can cook yourself a mug of black coffee - as without them !!!

All this - a balcony, great views, corridors and rooms that lie beyond our workplace, just called "workspace", ie, the environment in which we are able to creatively and productively think. Because it is folly to demand from the modern dynamic man is free to think, his nose buried in a corner, in complete immobility and tension as much as fifty minutes! (Quote from the rules of safe operation of the computer: "It is recommended to take a break in the work of the PC of 10 minutes every 50 minutes of work. ") In addition, there is no such work, which would require the person 50-minute continuous visual contact with the screen monitor.

PART THREE. How to organize your workspace people who work with a maximum voltage ...

The most intense and responsible work related to the monitor screen, is the work of air traffic controllers air traffic control. But even air traffic controllers, the aircraft carrying the wiring on a given route, do not stick to the views of radar screens and monitors, like flies trapped in the Velcro.

Typically, in the conflict situation, or when rolls fatigue, controllers easily "picked up" each other, adopting the wiring air means; They are constantly moving, and a lot of jokes. All this - with full concentration!

Speaking the language of science, that this behavior is called "tiered attention." I wrote about this condition in one of his articles, Here is the link to this passage. Many psychologists, in describing this state, like to use the term "alertness". In any case, the meaning is that we exaggerate the proportion of attention that is needed to do the job. Moreover, the excessive concentration contributes not concentrate, but on the contrary, twists our brain and our body into a tight knot.

Try being an air traffic controller, utknis in the radar screen on the very same "position" fifty minutes, and you're either going to explode from the strain or fall asleep at the workplace. And this is - a tragedy, the loss of hundreds, if not thousands of lives.

That is why, perhaps, dispatchers U.V.D. I never sit in a pose on a chair tormented torture. They get up every time there is a possibility to use for moving all their allotted workspace, in which included lounges (in Frankfurt am Main airport for air traffic controllers there is even a "winter garden" with singing birds), not to mention the kitchen where you can make coffee and a snack, and rooms with a mini-gym, allowing a few minutes to re-enter into the mold and take the place of at the screen.

One of these mini-simulators - lightweight and compact "SWINGSTICK». It is very elastic rod is made of fiberglass with small rubber goods, reinforced at its ends, and with the rubber handle in the center.

The secret of it is that, firmly holding the handle, you can gradually swing the rod so that that the vibrations that it will create, involve your body in an incredibly strong static electricity. Three minutes of this voltage, then - stop, reset the accumulated energy - and you re-fresh, full of energy, and from fatigue is not a trace!

Here I show the process of using this thing in the open air, because often take SwingStick with a run. But, believe me, even in the most cramped apartment, you can use this machine - of course, with great caution, because it vibrates in your hand rod from the simulator can easily turn into a dangerous weapon, which is quite capable of killing your cat or smash into smithereens favorite Teschin service.

Another important field of application - on the road. If you fall asleep at the wheel of a car, there is nothing more effective than three minutes, carried out with svingstikom in hand. If you have a desire to exercise svingstikom we can devote a separate publication.

But back to the people who work with a maximum voltage of special monitors and radar screens.

If air traffic controllers as far as possible extend your workspace, we dealing with just a computer, God himself has commanded not to lock the chair in close, with his knees pressed against the table ouija board, and with elbows glued to armrests! So…

PART FOUR. A few practical tips to increase your workspace

1. Do not identify with the car! Remember, the computer, or more precisely, a digital device provided with a luminous screen on which all time something happens, there is nothing else as a "crystal ball" is well known to our ancestors.

Here is a small guide on divination with crystal ball. Consider these words spoken centuries ago: "The only secret in divination by crystal ball is to learn to" peer ". Do not stare! Do not attempt to look into the crystal, unblinking eyes at the same time. All that you will achieve this look voltage. Just relax. When you need to blink his eyes, do it. Breathe deeply, making a full inhalation and exhalation. Do not attempt to represent or imagine anything in the crystal. Just look into it. "

Translating these words on the human-computer relationship can be said: Do not let the computer screen to its "magical effect" draws you to himself!

2. NOT chained themselves to the car! If you need to think about a problem, immediately get up from the table and go into the next room, the kitchen, to the loggia. It does not matter what you do there: You can even soak a rag and wash the floor (by the way, is very well thought of in this state). A watering flowers altogether removes from the stress! In any case, if you need to "poraskinut brains" do not do it sitting "in the chair". Use every moment and every opportunity to leave the workplace and go to the fascinating world of its workspace!

3. Modules are not concentrated in a confined space MACHINES! The workplace can be on time and to leave to get to any of the module: printer, fax, phone. Remember that the time of "space fever" took place. We do not want to work in cramped capsules - we have a wide field of activity. That's why it makes sense to spread the modules in hand, as far as possible from each other - even more so now that the devices no longer need a cable connection!

For example, I have a scanner is very far away from the desktop. A printer - at all in the other room. Folders with papers I keep on the ground, basement. Usually before work I went down and took away the necessary documents.

No opening for such an organization is not working. In Europe, and in Russia, the library has never been combined with an office. And this, in addition to the possibility of excessive movement, had another meaning: when do you choose the necessary material, you need to provide: that the need today, and that - no. Thus, you can not help visualizing the entire upcoming work process, thereby facilitating its further implementation.

... But even if I have to once again go down to the basement, I'm just happy. Remember one thing: there is nothing that destroys our body and the brain, as a fixed chained to a single, continuous object. So if you forget to bring the "bottom" or from another room any paper run for her winged opportunity once again to move away from the monitor!

Over time, these movements in the workspace will be included in a habit and, while you work, you will not lose in this thought and concentration.

4. Do not fall into hypnosis! People working at the computer, it is very like to watch the process of distillation / render files, download them from the Internet, and other actions that the computer can perfectly perform in the absence of person. Once you see that your friend has drawn metal screen "hypnotic stripes», go away. Take in hand and Swingstick povibriruyte with him to relieve tiredness. Your body and soul only tell you thank you for it.

5. Is assigned to another machine! If you have at home (office) features a USB support is not received from the partner has watched videos on your computer monitor! Three minutes - to download the material on a flash drive; minute - walk up to the TV, and then, sitting comfortably on the couch and drinking tea or coffee, you can watch video with bólshey efficiency than staring with red-rimmed eyes bored to stupor monitor.

Always have on hand a paper-reader. If you were sent to review a large amount of text, safely download it in an e-book, and - forward on the same couch or on the balcony, in a wicker chair. Do not report large texts (only if they are not in need of revision and marks) on the monitor! And with the reader lying on the sofa - it does not look as intimidating as it sounds. Perhaps you still remember those wonderful times when people read books. So, more often it is done lying down, but still having covered with a warm blanket.

6. Do not give away your vitality CAR! Forget the advice of doctors - to sit with your back flat, and even before the screen set at arm's length. In the process, move the computer as much as possible; Live does not fade and do not die in front of the monitor; leans back again face close to the screen; drop your feet on the table - this is a very useful exercise, fleeing from thrombosis; laugh, massage the neck, if it is tense... In short, behave at the computer, as a living, normal person!

For the most advanced and sports - here is the link to my article in the "Layfhakere", entitled "OFFICE street workout: exercise, without departing from the workplace». The name speaks for itself :)

And remember one thing: the wider your workspace, the more creative, more daring and more easily you'll think. After all, is not this is the main goal of any mental work !!!

PART FIVE. How to organize your workspace geniuses

• Writer and poet, Charlotte Bronte, feeling that "sat up" and has accumulated an excessive voltage, went to the kitchen to peel potatoes.
• In Yasnaya Polyana Leo Tolstoy's office often served Yasnaya Polyana edge of the forest - he wrote, lying on the grass. To cope with a difficult piece of text, the writer raised and made a circular walk, thinking about the next paragraph, and then returned to his papers. For a long time his office was a former storage room, where the walls are hung to encourage active labor tools: shovels, scythes, garden tools. In between writing texts Tolstoy loved to clean up the "cabinet", personally sweeping debris wide broom.
• Vladimir Nabokov denser all his contemporaries came to the philosophy of computer technology, he worked in cafe in the back seat of a car or on a park bench, recording the individual chunks of text for special card. Once in office, he was arranging them in a certain order.
• "King of the Beats", eccentric freethinker Jack Kerouac wrote home, getting rid of the accumulated stress through yoga, as he himself said. "I stand on my head in the bathroom, right on the slippers, and 9 times, touching the floor with his toes, holding the balance. Incidentally, this is a serious yoga is athletic stunt, and only then try to call me "unbalanced!" :)
• Simone de Beauvoir's work begins at 10 am with a cup of tea in her hand. Feeling that begins to tire, she called her friends and arrange meetings at the local supermarket. Half an hour of "shopping", and - back to work. "I have no problem with that, to then catch the thread of the narrative, - she said. - To pick up the storyline, I just need to read what I have written. "

PART SIX. How is the working space I

I do not have permanent jobs. It all depends on the season and on what I'm doing.

I write articles for the table of its own production - is an ordinary kitchen table under the gray marble massive metal feet, screwed to the floor. If I'm performing at my desk some exercise or just legs crossed accidentally Zaden planchette, the table does not bounce, and the computer will remain intact.

At this table I have three very important things to work:

• Access to the Internet is necessary for writing publications.
• Window facing the courtyard, so that I can see three levels of perspectives: near the mansion, remote homes, and clouds in the sky. This is extremely important! Look man, working in front of the monitor should not rest against the wall. Transferring it from the screen to the other three levels, we thus train the muscles of the eyeball, and support the lens in a plastic state.
• The third necessary attribute - a glowing globe. I absolutely must see our planet - so I feel better, as far as we are all united, strong and at the same time, vulnerable and defenseless. In other words, the globe helps me to think globally.

If I'm doing a novel, I do not need the Internet. I write in the kitchen - at the most, where I demonstrated for "Layfhakera" exercise "Office-street workout."

This simple picnic table I put a laptop, a cup of water and - the process has begun!

If the street is warm enough, I'm working on my Polyana, sitting on a makeshift bench low, and putting the laptop on his knees.

Writing a paragraph, I save the laptop on a stone, "table", get up and pick up a broom, shovel, rake and bucket.

As long as I take care of the Glade, the brain continues to work on the product. So when the next paragraph is ready, I can only sit on a bench and write it.

CONCLUSION

The productivity of the techniques described in this publication is very high. And most importantly - the people, expand their workspace, completely cross out the very moment of the creative process when "Plugging" makes us stupid with sleep eyes come to rest in the monitor (in the sheet of paper in the typewriter), waiting for enlightenment, which never come. Anyway, do not come as long as we do not tear off physically and emotionally from our workplace.

To be continued…

In the second part of this paper I will discuss how to equip and expand their virtual space, located on the other side of the monitor, and also a very strong influence on our health and on our performance.

With respect to all who are in the profession have to race to spend hours at the computer, in front of the monitor screen. Yuri Balabanov.