Okay, quick posture check. Freeze right where you are. Notice what position your shoulders, neck, and head are in. Chances are, if you have been sitting in this way for over a few minutes, you are putting yourself at a great risk for muscle strain. When you tighten muscles for an extended time, the other muscles around them need to overcompensate for the unnatural angle you are forcing upon them. Thus, the whole area becomes sore.
If your shoulders are up by your ears, relax them. Pull them back to stretch and loosen them a bit. Do a few shoulder rolls. If you hear cracking at this point, you know it's been too long since you have done this. Try to find your own "neutral" position for your shoulders, the place where they rest naturally and no muscles have undue strain. Yes, this takes effort, and requires you to check in with your shoulders every now and then. Your back will thank you for this.
Your neck and head have a neutral position as well. When you are sitting or standing, your ears should be over your shoulders and your chin should be level. If your computer screen is too high or too low, your neck muscles will let you know. As a general rule, your eyes should be at the middle of the computer screen. Every so often take a break, tilt your head to each side, as well as up and down.
Being mindful of how you carry yourself is a gift you can give your body. Practice good posture and stretch, and I guarantee your muscles will rejoice, rewarding you with less pain filled hours than you have previously experienced.
Happy, relaxed surfing!
Debra
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