Ten ways to work more ergonomically when travelling

1. Use a 4-wheeled suitcase. It requires less force to move and you can push it through the airport by your side in a neutral wrist posture rather than having to reach behind your body and pull or drag a suitcase.
2. Wear a laptop backpack (on both shoulders) or use a strap on the back of your laptop bag to slide it over the handles of your suitcase to minimise bending over and the stress on your neck and shoulders.
3. Always use the luggage rack in your hotel room to pack/unpack your luggage which minimises bending. Do not put open luggage on the floor.  If a luggage rack isn’t available, use the bed or a chair or ottoman.
4. Use the hotel business centre when available. This will allow you to use a full-size monitor and keyboard instead of the small monitor and cramped keyboard on your laptop.
5. Hotel desk chairs can have limited height adjustability. Sit on one of the many bed pillows and even put one on the chair armrest to support your arms and keep a more neutral mouse posture.
6. Use an external keyboard for tablets/laptops when writing emails.  Also, save longer emails for when you can access a computer versus typing them out on your phone.
7. Some hotels have a lap desk.  This ergonomic feature supports a more neutral posture allowing you to sit in bed and work.
8. Vary postures between sitting and standing.  Visit the hotel’s restaurant bar after you’ve been sitting for a while. Many airport lounges now have raised tables so you can stand during your layovers too.
9. Use task/reading lights when working in your hotel room or on an airplane.  As nice as natural light is on the plane, it can put strain on the eyes if it’s not enough.
10. Pack a compact extension power strip as there might only be one or two accessible plugs in a hotel room. For laptop and phone chargers, retractable cords save a lot of space in your luggage, and they don’t get tangled.

If you have any queries about Ergonomics, both in and out of the office then call us today to speak with our Ergonomist…remember prevention is better than cure for musculoskeletal issues!