Avoiding Repetitive Motion Injury

Today's advice? Maryanne says Relax, just do it!

Many of us are over-achievers, working long hours and scheduling assignments back-to-back. What do we do to keep balance in our lives? What do we do to relax and find time for us?

I am as guilty as the rest. In addition to owning Accent on Interpreting, I am a full time staff Interpreter for Tulsa Community College, teach part-time in their interpreter education program and am helping to raise three teenagers. So, yeah, time for me sometimes gets hard to find.

I am a fanatic for budgeting and time management. I do as much "right now" as I can- meaning as soon as I see something that needs doing, I try to do it - if I wait, I may forget or get too busy. This works for everything from returning business calls to doing the morning dishes. Additionally, I am a voracious list maker: if I can't do it "right now" it gets on my list. Then I get an inordinate joy out of crossing things off that list.

But none of that covers decompression. What do I do to relax?

Well, I write stories. I can't promise any of them are any good, but they are characters I care about in a world of my making where the challenges they confront actually help me keep my life in perspective, or even help me resolve issues I am facing.

I play with my nintendo ds: Sims: castaway is my current favorite. There is something about putting someone through the paces of collecting enough coconuts to survive and keep the monkeys from stealing their meager belongings that again keeps my life in perspective.

I go to Disneyland. Often. Oh, not the real one. At these prices, I can't afford the flights. I take virtual vacations, watching you tube or our own home videos of trips to the Happiest Place on Earth.

I guess you can say I escape. I take a mental health break from the here and now and go to a there and then. It makes the here and now a little more bearable, refreshes my mind and spirit, and rejuvenates my outlook.

But sometimes escape is not the answer. Then, I walk. I am trying to lose weight (mmmm, white gravy was an evil thing to discover when I moved to Tulsa!) I am not making huge progress - I think I average about a pound a week. But I am walking and averaging three miles a day. I am working toward those magic 10,000 steps!

And I spend time at the Arkansas river, reveling in the magic of God's creation as it winds it's way around my adopted hometown.

Finally, I enjoy morning coffee with any friends I can track down. A good laugh with a friend can resolve more in twenty minutes than all the stories, amusement park rides, games or strolls I use to fill my spare time.

I don't expect any of these will necessarily work for you. But do look at what lightens your load. Whether it is a chat with God or a chat with a friend, make sure you make time for it.

Your family, your clients and your own spirit will thank you.

Avoiding Repetitive Motion Injury

I promised citations at the end of yesterday's post, so I guess I should keep my promise.

I am afraid some of the observations are my own, after hand trouble, back troubl and shoulder trouble, but here are some links if you would like to learn some more:

"Sign Language Can Cause Repetitive Motion Injury"

"Overuse Syndrome among Sign Language interpreters."

"Interpreter's wrist. Repetitive stress injury and carpal tunnel syndrome in sign language interpreters."

AVLIC’s Position On The Prevention of Repetitive Strain Injuries

Injuries and accidents at work - Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome

Hopefully this gets you started - or convinces you to take it easy! You are the only you the profession has... and we need every one of you.

Avoiding Repetitive Motion Injuries

Truthfully, I don't know there is a way to avoid them - and I am not even sure they still go by that label. But you all know the injuries of which I speak:

The sore shoulders, hands, wrists and necks.
The stiff muscles after a long day.
The pain expereinced doing normal day-to-day tasks.

I've been on disability a few times due to injury onthe job. And a few times the injuries came off the job but I can promise you were directly related.

But that isn't the point of this post. The point is to try an davoid injury for as long as possible.

Since this will be another of those continuing series, I will start small:

Learn to schedule in break time!

Many interpreters I know, especially those who are just starting out and trying desperately to make al iving or develop a clientele, will work many hours back to back allowing just enough time between assignments to drive across town.

This is begging for an injury.

First of all, interpreting uses a lot of small motor movements - much in the same way computer operators do. Fingerspelling is not much different from typing if you think about it. Add to it that many interpreting assignments require us to sign in a small space, or sit in uncomfortable chairs and ergonmonics are not on our side. Finally, consider the vibrations that run from the steering wheel through our hands and arms as we drive across town - not exactly as comforting as a massage.

So difficult as it is to take the time off, your bosy will feel the better for it. Schedule yourself a good half hour off between driving and the assignment or the assignment and driving. Schedule walking breaks if you sit a lot.

And speaking of schedules I have to jet - so citations next time.

Be safe!