Reposted (with alterations) from February 18, 2008.
If you are writing a decent amount (if so, congratulations! You’re half way to being a writer!), you probably use a computer quite a bit. Even if you choose to write in notebooks as I do, you will generally still type up your work afterwards. This kind of activity, especially if combined with regular other computer use, may leave you with painful cramping in your fingers, hands, and wrists that, if I understand these things correctly, may lead to more serious conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome.
When I complained about wrist and finger pain, a programmer friend suggested Workrave. This program will alert you every so often that it’s time to take a break, and then count down until you may begin using your computer again. These short little breaks do wonders to prevent pain not only in the hands, but also, as I quickly discovered, in the knees as well. Just by standing up and walking around the room a little until the countdown ends has almost completely gotten rid of my stiff right knee issue.
It’s very easy for time to get away from me once I get into a writing mood. When I feel like I am on a roll, the last thing on my mind is taking a walk-around-the-room break. This has often lead to computer use for 5-10 hours straight followed by intense physical pain. When I’m “in the zone,” I’ve even been known to forget to eat, so this little program has even managed to cure the whole “starving” part of being a starving artist! Talk about a miracle cure!
