Technology Is Affecting Our Posture

Problems Caused by Prolonged Sitting

bad posture while workingAs few as twenty years ago, computer desk jobs were a new concept, and people then had the opportunity to move more throughout the day. With the introduction of computers came various health issues associated with computer work, including fibromyalgia, digital eye fatigue, advanced obesity and lower back problems. This sedentary lifestyle can take a toll on a person’s health, especially the spinal column, causing a variety of back ailments. Nowadays, most Americans toil away in front of a computer all day and then go home and sit in front of a television set or digital device. Add in commute time sitting in a car, and sitting down for meals; Americans spend anywhere from 13 to 15 hours a day just SITTING and it is wreaking havoc on our well-being. Currently, back problems are the third most common cause of surgery in the U.S., so find a Chiropractor to improve your back and neck health. Or for preventative measures, make it a routine to stretch daily while sitting at your desk.

When you are camped at a computer all day and you don’t get up and move around, your back will pay the price. The discs between our vertebrae are sponge-like and act as a shock absorber for our spine. When we move, our discs get the nutrition they need to do their job. When we sit too long, they lose their effectiveness and flexibility over time, adding undue stress to our backs, which causes pain. Sitting puts more pressure on the discs than either standing or lying down, so it is important to move the spine to keep the discs healthy. It’s been estimated that sitting puts as much as 40 percent more pressure on your spine than just standing.  Also, your posture while you sit is important. If you lean forward while you sit, you put excess pressure on the discs, leaving them vulnerable to rupture, also known as herniated discs. The way you position your neck when you sit while working at a computer can also cause strains to the discs in your neck, causing pain and soreness in the neck, shoulders, and back.

When you sit for extended periods of time and are not as active as you could be, obesity canphone use causes neck pain become a problem. The more weight you gain sitting at your computer all day, the more weight that needs to be supported by your back. And, if you do not exercise regularly, your core muscles in your stomach will lose their strength, putting even more pressure on your spine.  This can also result in limited range of motion for your hips, making you more susceptible to falls and fractures. This lack of movement can weaken your bones, possibly to the point of osteoporosis. Exercise is a key element to keeping your back in top shape. Stretching your spine, even if it is while you are sitting at your desk, can be helpful. Yoga, acupuncture and chiropractic care have also been useful in combating back pain and are an alternative to try before subjecting yourself to an invasive back surgery to correct the problem.

For those of us who work at computers all day, finding the time to get up and move about might seem impossible but there are ways to help your back, even if you do sit for prolonged periods of time. Most importantly is to sit correctly, because bad posture will lead to back problems. To stretch your spine while sitting, you will want to make sure you are not hunched over your keyboard. Sit up straight, take a few deep breaths, raise your arms above your head. While this is not a replacement for standing or actual movement, it can help to elongate your spine while still sitting at your desk.

To help prevent back ailments from sitting at your computer too long, set a timer and make sure you move throughout the day. Get up and stretch or take a walk, even if it is just around the office. Since you will be sitting at your computer the whole day, make sure you invest in a solid chair to support your back and five-legged chairs give you better support than standard four-legged ones. When sitting, make sure your feet can touch the floor and that your hips are on the same level or higher than your knees. You will also want to find a chair that offers lumbar support for your lower back; there are several ergonomic brands available that offer lumbar support. Or, if the chair you use doesn’t have lumbar support, you can roll up a towel or use a small pillow to place at the small of your back. You can also try sitting on an exercise ball to work your core muscles and improve your balance and flexibility. This will help to strengthen your body, including your back muscles. You can also purchase an adjustable desk, one that extends so you may stand and work and then flexes so you can sit. But remember, you need to keep your spine straight while sitting, even if you are moving during the day.  Even if you walk around, sit in an ergonomic chair and use an adjustable desk, you will be doing your back a disservice if you don’t sit properly.

stretch at your deskIn addition to the back problems attributed to prolonged sitting, there are studies that show that not enough movement can affect the body’s organs, leading to health issues and serious ailments. Excess time sitting, up to ten hours a day, can lead to heart disease, diabetes, obesity, blood clots, even certain cancers. Studies have shown that too much sitting is detrimental to our bodies and our well-being; it even takes years off of our lives! It all starts with movement and the discs in our back. If we adopt a sedentary lifestyle for too long, our discs will no longer be able to move properly, which makes everything else take shape. Back pain will lead to lack of exercise, to obesity, and to more serious health conditions. When sitting in front of a computer all day, remember to move; your back will thank you!

 

Keeping Self Driving Cars Cleaned

The Technology Behind Keeping Self Driving Cars Clean

Self-driving cars are everywhere, the technology that goes behind making that happen still amazes me. But without a driver behind the wheel, who is to say when the car needs to be cleaned and detailed for deployment. Companies like Uber and Waymo have the cars navigating our roads daily, but how do they keep them clean? Great question, check this out.

Just because you don’t own a Maserati doesn’t mean you shouldn’t keep your car in top-notch shape; after all, it does get you from point A to point B, so you should show it some love and respect. However, most people think an occasional car bath is sufficient, but not if you want to properly care for your vehicle! And if that vehicle happens to be a self-driving car, you may want to take extra special care of it!

Keeping your car in perfect running condition doesn’t just mean changing the oil and putting air in the tires; it means caring for your car from top to bottom. When you detail your car, you feel better about the vehicle, even if it’s a Pinto! Historical vehicles shine when cleaned properly and newer cars stay looking better longer when they are maintained. If properly maintained, detailing your car doesn’t take long, and it can be done at home or by a professional. Many detailing companies even come to your home or work, so there are few excuses for not keeping up your car’s aesthetics!

We’ve all gotten into a car that is a mess on the inside and filthy on the outside, and even if it is a nice car, we wonder if it runs. Conversely, we have seen older vehicles that are beautiful inside and out and know that the owner has a true sense of pride. Not only does a clean car reflect your character, but it helps the car last longer. The sun, snow, rain and other elements can damage the car’s interior and exterior, but detailing can act as a protective shield. Left to the elements, a car can experience cracked dashboards, peeling paint, rust, discolored interior, and if water gets inside the vehicle, even mold, and mildew. Even dirt, bird droppings and tar and sap from trees can stick to your paint job, causing discoloration. To combat the elements, you should wash your car at least once a week, and have it detailed based on its usage. A car that is covered in a garage will not need as much attention as one that sits out in the snow. If your vehicle is subjected to fluctuations in the weather, it might need some extra protection. Of course, just washing the car won’t keep it looking pristine; it will also need to be waxed periodically to help it lock in the luster. If you are having issues getting that new car look again, there are even more ideas for keeping your self-driving car clean.

Inspecting the car for imperfections will let you know what you should focus on to bring the car’s exterior back to life. Scratches, chips, and dings will all make your vehicle appear older but the exterior can be protected by professional sealants and coatings, extending the life of the car wash, too. A semi-permanent paint sealant will last for a few years and it is scratch resistant, whereas a wax will only last a month or two. To prolong the shine of your wash and wax, you will want to have your car professionally polished. A professional car detailer can use a tool that uses a soft polishing disc to fill in any surface scratches while spreading the compound. However, polishing too often is likely to have the opposite effect and may wreck the paint job.

cleaning the exterior

There are also some common sense ideas for maintaining your car’s clean appearance:  don’t park under trees, where sap and bird droppings can mar your vehicle. If you happen to get these items on your car’s paint, you will want to wash them off as soon as possible or they can harden and oxidize your paint. Club soda will do the trick, just as it does with spots on clothes! You also want to make sure you use quality products when you wash your car. Old rags and a cup of dishwashing liquid won’t do; your car needs professional products to prolong its cleanliness and shine. If you are washing the car yourself, make sure to use two buckets of water so you don’t continually spread the dirty water back on your car! This will keep your car cleaner, longer.

While the outside of your car is important, the cleanliness inside is equally important. A car that has been well maintained will bring top dollar when it comes time to trade it in, but not if the interior is dirty, ripped or cracked. You will want to vacuum the interior of the car regularly, and if you have pets that ride in the vehicle, you may want to vacuum every week. Not only will this pick up the dirt, debris and pet hair, but it will also help to eliminate any strange odors. If your car has a smell you just can’t seem to get rid of, try baking soda on your floors and fabric seats. Vacuum up the baking soda; vacuum up the smell! Leather interior is also very popular, but keeping it clean requires special care. Instead of using baking soda, you want to use a leather conditioner to maintain its good looks. Leather seating that cooks in the sun just cracks and makes the car look old; protection is the key!

If you want to keep your car looking cleaner for a long time after cleaning it, it is important to be diligent. Whenever possible, park away from dirt lots, other cars, and trees. A covered parking space is preferable, but a car cover can suffice to keep the dirt and dust off your vehicle. To maintain the cleanliness of the inside of the car, pack a handy cleaning kit to use whenever necessary. Include a small brush to dislodge mud or dirt from seats and floor mats, and keep small amounts of baking soda, stain remover and soft rags in the cleaning kit. If you eat and drink in your car, make sure you have a trash bag handy to dispose of all the garage immediately. Vacuum up any crumbs, or leftover food to avoid funky smells. For the outside of the vehicle, make sure you have a small cloth on hand, one that will not scratch the car’s paint. If you encounter any bug splats, bird droppings or plant residue, you can remove it immediately.

Keeping your car clean is like any other responsibility; you must schedule a time to get it done. If you don’t have the time, hiring someone to detail your vehicle will be helpful, but it might be costly. However, if you have the car detailed, you will then just be responsible for prolonging the cleaning, and that will be an easier task. Simple tricks and common sense can help you keep your car looking spotless!