Workers at computers face blood clots

A new Zealand study of office workers has found that people who work for hours while sitting down have a higher risk of blots clots from deep vein thrombosis (DVT) than airline passengers.

Many of us spend hours at a computer at work. Then a lot of us then work or "play" on a computer after getting home. This study, with results that we perhaps expected anyway, is a reminder that most of us need more exercise, especially of the legs and thighs, to help avoid DVT.

You can take simple steps to reduce your risk as well as feel more refreshed at work, though.

• Get up and walk away from your computer at least once an hour. That helps exercise the leg and thigh muscles. It also helps your eyes, which focus at a very short range while you work at a computer.
• While you sit at a computer, clench your butt, leg, and thigh muscles every now and then. That helps squeeze the blood along in your veins. It's low impact exercise and helps blood flow.
• Lift your feet off the floor, straighten your legs if possible in your work area, then rotate your feet front and back and all around (... sorry if that caused you to flash on the Hokey-Pokey). This mini-massage stretches the muscles around your ankles and feet. Try it; you'll like it.
• While you're at it, take a stretch break opportunity to clasp your hands behind your back and stretch your arm muscles too.
• Expend your arms above your head and wiggle your fingers. Many of us have poor typing skills and tend to pound away at the keys in awkward hand positions and much harder than we should. Give your hands a massage and help reduce carpal tunnel injuries.

Create a healthy computer work environment

Computers are everywhere and we spend a ton of time using them. But we often neglect to take care of our bodies, which hammer away at keyboards, tenaciously gripping mice, and sitting uncomfortably for long periods of time -- all the while staring at flickering monitor screens.

About.com has a series of pages with tips to reduce strain on your body while you use your computer. Give yourself a break (literally). Take these tips to heart and enjoy a happier, healthier life.

Please note that About.com has pop-ups on nearly every page. So if you don't want to see them, enable your pop-up blocker before clicking on a link below.

• Avoid computer vision syndrome.
• Prevent eye strain.
• Use eye-strengthening exercises. Here's some "Yoga exercises for the eyes" -- exercises that everyone can do!
• Adjust your monitor and lighting setup.
• Properly use your keyboard and mouse.
• Get a good chair and use good posture.