Why Does Working at the Computer Cause So Much Tension?

I make most of my livelihood with my computer. I'm good at it, and I enjoy it. But boy does it result in a lot of tension in my body.

Why is that?

I mean, we all know it's not a good idea to sit for a long time without a break, but what exactly is happening to cause all that tension?

Small Movements of the Eyes and Hands

Recently I started reading The Thinking Body by Mabel Elsworth Todd. I'll admit, it's a dry read in places but there are some definite gems in there.

This part stopped me in my tracks (the bold is my own):

The type of postural maladjustments which consume the most energy and fatigue us most are those connected with our daily activities as we sit at a desk or sewing table, at a typewriter or a microscope - activities employing small movements of the eyes and hands and necessitating many small decisions and judgements, and constant attention. Attention means tension, a readiness to move with no movement taking place.

This is exactly what it feels like! A readiness to move with no movement taking place. It's also the reminder that it's our eyes and our fingertips that are employed most during computer work - the parts of us designed for intricate, delicate, and complex movements. It's no wonder they tire quickly.

It's Also About How We Feel

She goes on to say:

This is doubly the case when to attention we add worry as to the outcome of our work, or anxiety for the future. Even when the anxiety is quite apart from the work in question, or when we are not sitting at a small, constraining task, our emotional undercurrent will express itself in some postural pattern. Emotion constantly finds expression in bodily position; if not in the furrowed brow or set mouth, then in limited breathing, in tight-held neck muscles, or in the slumped body of discouragement and listlessness.

Have We Learned Anything?

This book was written in 1937. I believe the only thing that gives her away is the references to typewriters and sewing tables. Otherwise it could have very well been written today.

Perhaps Mabel's closing sentence for this chapter explains why we're still grappling with this nearly 90 years later:

If sometimes we seem to be insisting on the obvious, let us remember that the ideas which need the most clarifying are often those to which we say "of course".

What Can We Do About It?

Now I understand why it's important to take regular breaks. And I mean regular - I currently use an app on my computer to remind me to take a break after 50 mins (which I admit to skipping pretty regularly) but I think I need to drastically reduce the time. Maybe if I at least just looked up from my computer every...15? 20? minutes and released my fingers from their poise on the keyboard or the mouse, I wouldn't need to spend quite so long with my Somatic Movement practice undoing all the tension created from a readiness to move with no movement taking place.

Do you experience this? How often do you take breaks from your computer? What things do you employ to stave off the tension, especially if your livelihood depends on computer work? Share your thoughts and ideas in the comments below.