Our fun computer time, spenting surfing the web or gaming, can contribute to repetitive stress injuries as readily as our work time. I have no doubt my Everquest years were a part of what made me an RSI sufferer in the first place (alas, I’ve since given up gaming).
I found an interesting study on the ergonomics of web browsing. It takes a look at how web browsing postures often differ from typing postures. We tend to relax a bit when surfing (good), but that can mean assuming a posture where we have to reach farther for the mouse than we normally would, overextending our arms for a prolonged period of time, sometimes with the wrist at an unnatural angle (bad). It’../../../2004/07/break_reminder_.html”>break reminder programs if you haven’t).
The study recommended some tips for lessening your longterm risks from web surfing:
Change your posture when waiting for pages to load
Get up and stretch often.
Move your mouse closer to your body if you find yourself reaching for it.
Spend some of your fun time doing something away from the computer.
For more tips and information, read the article.