NuNomad Location Independent Living, Lifestyle Design, Independent Travel

by Ricardo

Last year I did a longer stint in the States, “home,” than usual. A French friend of mine from Thailand had met up with me, so we found ourselves all over California and Arizona. (Oh, and Nevada too. Vegas—if that counts.) Anyway, throughout this road trip we ended up staying in varying accommodations, none of which were very ergonomically-hospitable environments. So by the time the summer ended, my right arm felt like I had pitched twelve innings for the Dodgers—after having it yanked out of whack by a professional wrestler! But, I have only myself to blame because I know better than to work off of dinner and coffee tables, dressers and from my lap for any stretch of time.

This article is for the digital nomad who’s often anchored to their notebook computer and who are avoiding repetitive stress disorders.

The Ergonomic Luxuries of the Old Cubicle

Remember when you worked from “the office,” such as that fully functioning work-at-home setup you may have had, or the ergonomically-correct work station your employer provided you—which was more having to do with workman’s compensation insurance requirements than any comfort concerns they may have had for your well being—before your nomading began? Wasn’t getting the job done so much nicer to your body? Rarely did we have to consider the risk of carpal tunnel syndrome, pinched nerves, a bad back, eye strain and a host of other musculo-skeletal disorders in these ergonomically attuned environments. So why is it we forget ergonomics when we’re on the road?

“Perhaps, Ricardo,” you retort, “availability, weigh considerations and cost might have something to do with it?”

Alrighty, those are some damn good reasons. We can’t just tug our old office with us as we nomad. Yet, there are options indeed! Let’s look at some problem areas and real solutions.

Ergonomic Solutions for the  Nu Nomad Office

Firstly, let’s assume that you’re traveling with an average size notebook computer and not a desktop unit with 20 inch monitor, contoured keyboard and scalable office chair. (I know, “dah.”)

• The keyboard. If you’re working from a 12-inch wide or less notebook, your keyboard will most likely be a reduced sized one (perhaps 90% of normal). But, even if it’s a “full size” keyboard, the placement of the keys is usually behind the touch pad, thus putting a natural strain on the neck, back and forearms.
  Solution: attach an external keyboard to your machine. There are plenty of thin, lightweight, full-size keyboards available that are no wider than 14 inches. I myself wouldn’t dream of working longer than an hour or so a day without one.
• The mouse. If any computer peripheral should be eliminated from the face of the earth, it’s the computer mouse. Dragging that rodent around your desktop endlessly simply invites trouble: spikes of sharp pain between your shoulder blades, shoulder ache and cramping arm. I really believe the inventor of the mouse was one sadistic %#!ker.
  Solution: Since traveling with a pen tablet is usually not a practical option, the external trackball rules. With a trackball, your fingers do the work while your hand simply rests onto the unit. Your arm is no longer doing the heavy work. Plus trackballs work in the tightest of spaces (think airplane).
• The monitor. Small monitors increase eye strain and headaches.
  Solution: If you’re going to be in place for a few months or longer and are expected to work extended hours, it might be a wise investment to buy a large external monitor. The $150 or so investment may be worth it to you. (And, you can always unload the device onto another nomad or local desk jockey.) If the external monitor option is not possible About.com has a few tips on alleviating eye strain.
• The desktop. Ever feel like you’re Godzilla hunched over the keyboard? You know what I mean, your hands are positioned high over the keyboard and it’s as if the keys are Tokyo buildings and you’re going to menace them? Having your keyboard higher than the height of a good fitting office chair’s arms, thus putting your arms and chest away from an “L” position, is inviting carpal tunnel syndrome, neck, back and nerve disorders.
  Solution: Travel with a computer work station! (Just kidding.) If you’re unable to get your arms and upper body into an “L” position by raising the seating or lowering the table/surface, try my TV tray makeshift solution. Because I’ve found that even accommodations with desks are not set-up for use with a keyboard, I had to find a work-around. What I do is look for either a small, low, table to put my external keyboard on, or I’ll buy a (usually wooden) folding “TV dinner” tray table for this purpose. The computer itself will remain on the desk above a stack of books or a brick or two as to position it at a good eye-level. The trackball usually fits next to the keyboard.
• The chair. Of all the variables to good ergonomics, the chair can be your buddy or foe. If your chair is too low in proportion to the keyboard, you’ll most likely experience all of the ailments mentioned above. Also, chairs without arm rests don’t provide the necessary support to your arm when having to use the trackball frequently.
  Solution: Beg, borrow or steal a good chair. Alternatively, you can add the requisite amount of padding to the chair to elevate you. And should you be working from an L-shaped desk, you may be able to position your tracking/mousing arm atop one of the panels for greater stability and comfort.

If, however, you’re feeling the onset of such as strained neck or back, pinched nerves and other musculo-skeletal ailments, you may find that exercising specific muscle groups really help. When I mentioned to my doctor (Dr. Nick Walters of Mission Hospital, Bangkok) that my right arm—all the way up to my shoulder—was experiencing shooting pain, he provided me with a pamphlet on this common ailment. By strengthening the neck muscles you just may find that it will off-set many of the problems related to a pinched nerve and muscle strain. And getting rid of tension through exercise will simply do wonders to your body in general.

Of course, these are only a few solutions to non-short stay environments. Should you have solutions of your own, I’d like to hear about them.