Unhealthy? All day on the computer in a small room.

Cianos

Hi,
I've recently moved my computer into a small box room. I have a 19'' CRT as well as the desktop. I could spend most of the day in this room on the computer. I have become ill a couple of times over a short period of time. I know its that time of the year but I really dont think the stuffiness of the room is helping. Does anyone else have to use their computer in a small box room for long periods? If so, do you take any measures to reduce the stuffy conditions?

Cheers

petes

Are there no windows?

Cianos

petes wrote:

Are there no windows?

There is a little one but then I am sitting in a draft and since I'm sick thats not a great idea either...arg viscious circle:(

gamer

take a ten break,every 25minutes,maybe the room is too cold,get a heater.some people forget,small rooms need to be kept warm too.

mr_disc

petes wrote:

Are there no windows?

Begs the reply..... No Linux

Ruu_Old

Keep the door open if not already, let the air circulate. Where are you getting ill? Do you wear glasses at the computer? Taking rests every once in a while is a must.

DJB

I found myself in a similar situation. Small enough room, most of the day but I had the added joy of smoking at the computer. There wasn't much air circulation because it was cold outside and cold in the hall. I was getting a lot of headaches, virtually every day by lunchtime.

My solution: gave up the cigs, drink water during the day, open the window/door when possible, take a short break every hour (just a minute to get a drink or something) and that seems to have done the trick... haven't had a headache in about 2 weeks where I went through about 2 packets in the previous month!

Anti

Never had this problem, As i take a 10 min break every hour.

K.O.Kiki

I get a little eye-strain at times, but that's probably more from lack of sleep :rolleyes:
Do air your room, though -- 10mins airing every 6 or so hours is a good start. And get up & walk every so often, too -- even if it's just to the jacks

Peteee

petes wrote:

Are there no windows?

No, he's running a bash prompt in Linux...none of this GUI stuff for him

EDIT: Beaten, by several hours! Must read thread in its entirity before responding with witty remark!

L31mr0d

yeah i used to have my computer in a small box room and i'd be on it all day. My solution was to have the window open with the curtains closed, lets cool air in without causing a breeze. Also drink up 4 pints of water a day. I'd always have a pint beside me and take about 2 gulps every 20 minutes or so if i'd remember This also forces you to get up to use the toilet and (if you have one) refill the brita and get another pint.

Also. There could be something in that room that could be making you sick, check for any old food lying behind cupboards or mold and mildue under the carpet, if you're breathing in mold spores all day it will cause you to get sick.

Cianos

Thanks for the replies. I will probably just have to leave the door and window open more and get the air flowing through. Bad time of year for it though:(

I am all for taking a break every hour or so but I play online poker professionaly and its hard to not get sucked into a 5 hour session! And taking a break so often is quite tricky.

Does anyone know whether TFT monitors give off significantly less heat than CRT's?

Cheers

r3nu4l

I'm using a TFT and it gives off a lot of heat, don't know if it's more than a CRT.

Anyway, if you can't rest, then make sure you have plenty of water! Also, make sure you have natural daylight but also that you are not getting lots of glare and end up squinting. Try to set the computer up so that the window is on your left or right side, not directly behind and not in front of you either!

Ventilation is a must. If you're cold, then put on a jacket or wrap a blanket around you and wear a wooly hat.

Is there damp in the room? Mould? Also do you have a laser printer going a lot? These give off ozone which is toxic and can cause massive headaches and illness if over-esposed. Same for active photocopier.

projectmayhem

take a break every hour for 5 or 10mins to rest your eyes and stretch out your legs. if you're going to sit in all day it's probably best you take up walking in the evenings or something, for general health (might be why you get sick easily)

K.O.Kiki

TFT's use about half as much power as CRT's, so I'd guess they emit less heat.