I just wanted to share some information to all the computer addicts at AO like myself. My health has recently started to go downhill even though I don't smoke, and I rarely ever drink. My knees hurt walking, my wrists hurt typing, my neck hurts (occasionally), I get winded walking up 2 flights of stairs, and I suffer from indigestion every night. I used to be quite active just a few years ago, but when computers became my occupation as well as my passion I discovered I had little time for anything else. Well, I did some research, and realized how much my "computer addict" lifestyle is affecting my health.

How many of you spend some time each week keeping yourself fit or just taking care of your body? Guessing from the typical AO member, you probably spend 8 or more hours a day in front of a screen. Working with computers is wonderful, but it is also the source of many emerging aliments researchers have found. We've all heard about the physical disorders of repetitive stress injuries and carpal tunnel syndrome, but there is also computer vision syndrome (burning, dry, strained eyes), and lower back pain. The symptoms may even be more subtle than that. You may simply feel like your extremeties are often cramped or heavy. Researchers have even begun researching a growing list of mental symptoms related to computer use like lethargy, insomnia and anxiety (Source).

Poor nutrition can also be the result of a heavy computer schedule, and may even aggravate some of the ailments listed above. More and more time online means taking less time to select foods that are more nutritious. I'm sure many of us have opted for a quick vending machine snack when working late rather than spending 10 minutes in the kitchen building a healthier snack. And how many of us think that two of the four basic food groups are pizza, and caffeine? How many of us remember the other two?

Personally, my lifestyle has become very sedentary and my physiology is clearly beginning to reflect that. I never exercise, and my eating habits leave everything to be desired. However, I also know that when I am on a routine fitness program and eating healthy my energy levels are higher, I physically feel better, and my overall attitude becomes much more positive. Here are some health tips that I hopefully will be following myself this year to get back to that level of a healthy computer user. Maybe some of you could use them:

* Check the ergonomics of your work area. If you're going to be there 10 hours a day, at least make sure that won't be causing your body additional, unnecessary, stress. OSHA has some great resources for making your workstation as ergo-friendly as possible.

* Take regular breaks throughout the day. I know it's hard to tear yourself away when you're in the middle of a great game, or compiling some new package, but you'll feel better doing it. You may even want to do some basic stretching for your muscles' benefit. HealthyComputing has some quick stretches you can do at your desk, as does the Office of Environmental Health and Safety at East Carolina University.

* For your eyes sake, try reducing the brightness of your monitor, or increasing the illumination of the room around you. Your office space should be 3 times brighter than your screen, and the characters on the screen should be 10 times brighter than the background (Source). Try to consciously blink a few more times or keep a bottle of Visine Tears nearby to keep your eyes from drying out.

* Try exercising for 15-20 minutes 3 times a week. Your goal doesn't have to be to run the Boston Marathon in 2 months. You just want to maintain a slightly elevated heart rate for 20 minutes 3 times a week to keep your heart healthy. Any aerobic exercise will work: running, biking, raquetball, swimming, taebo, sex (it counts! woohoo!), etc.

* Try to remember your basic nutrition. The national recommended food pyramid shows 6 food groups: breads & cereals, fruits, veggies, meats & proteins, milk & dairy, and fats and oils. You should be consuming 6-8 servings of breads & cereals, 2-4 servings of fruit, 3-5 servings of veggies, 2-3 servings of meat & protein, 2-3 servings of dairy, and only sparing servings of fat and oils. Just trade in that Big Kit-Kat for an apple once in a while.

Keeping your body healthy will greatly improve your computer experience. You'll have less stress, and a more positive attitude, and less stress means better focus as well. Remember from the Matrix when Morpheus says "The body cannot live without the mind" ? Well that door swings both ways...your mind cannot live without your body. Keep it happy.