Sitting at the computer all day is not exactly good for the body. If you have to be at a desk all day

long, doing some simple things can improve your posture and health.

Sit properly in a good chair designed for deskwork. Your back should be straight, and your head should

be looking directly into your monitor. If you have to look down or up, you need to adjust the height

of either the screen or your chair. If you keep leaning forward, first get your eyesight checked. If

your eyesight is fine use a loose belt or string to tie yourself to the chair. After a while your

posture will improve and you'll no longer need this restraint.

Maintain an ergonomic body posture while typing. Keep your legs bent at the knees so that the knees

are only slightly higher than your hips. Feet should be flat on the floor or on a step stool of some

sort.

Stand up every half hour. Walk around a few steps, stretch your legs, and give your eyes a break from

focusing on your computer screen. This will also help prevent blood clots from developing in your

legs.

Roll your head around your neck periodically, but avoid rolling your head all the way back. Do the

motion slowly clockwise for 1-3 iterations and then repeat in the opposite direction.
Roll your wrists regularly (this will help prevent carpal tunnel syndrome if you spend a lot of time

typing).

Contract your abdominal and gluteal muscles, hold them there for a few seconds, then release. Do this

all day long while you are in your chair.
Stretch your arms, legs, neck and torso while sitting. This will help prevent you from feeling stiff.

Take advantage of the downtime created by rebooting or large file downloads to get up and try

something more ambitious such as doing a few push-ups, sit-ups, and/or jumping jacks. Beware of your

snickering co-workers though.

Acquire a hand gripper. They are cheap, small and light. When you have to read something either on the

screen or on paper, you probably won't be using your hands very often so squeeze your gripper. It is

an excellent forearm workout.

Acquire an elastic band (also cheap, small and light) and use it to do the actions mentioned in step 7

(i.e., when stretching your arms, do it by pulling apart the elastic band). You will not only stretch

but it will also work the muscles slightly.

Take a few deep breaths. If possible, get some fresh air in your lungs.

Don't neglect the health of your eyes! It is detrimental to your eyesight to focus at one thing for

long periods of time (i.e. your monitor) so take breaks to look out the window and focus at something

at a farther distance away to maintain good occular health. Also consider purchasing an LCD screen

which is easier on the eyes.

As long as something is moving, you will be helping to keep yourself in better shape. Constant

movement will burn calories and contribute to cardiovascular health. While exercising at your computer

is helpful, it is not a substitute for going to the gym or conducting a regular exercise program.
Don't sit still. Fidgeting is a good way to keep moving. Even something like tapping your foot. But

don't make too much noise--however you fidget, the repetitive noises may bother other people.
Always have water nearby to drink.

If you're all alone, try shutting off the computer for a bit and exercise. If you're on a cell phone

call, get up and do stretches, or leg lifts, anything to keep moving during down time away from the

desk.

Try exercises that combine opposing muscle groups (flexors and extensors, e.g., biceps and triceps) to

get a good workout. Clasp your hands together with palms facing each other. Pull up with one hand

while pushing down with the other.

Play music while working to provoke body movement.

Your body needs more exercise than just what you do at the computer, but following these steps will

contribute to a healthy, balanced lifestyle.

Do not sit at your computer for a long time. Yeah Right!