You need your hands to stay in top shape for all kinds of activities, from office work to petting your dog. They get a lot of exposure, so reduce the risk of injury from overuse, strains or cuts. You can use these simple techniques to protect your hands anytime or for specific activities that pose special challenges.
General Hand Safety Tips
1. Maintain correct posture. Pain caused by a lifetime of slouching can reach all the way down to your fingertips because the nerves in your hands are connected to the nerves in your neck. Keep your back straight, your shoulders lowered and pressed back, and your abdominal muscles slightly flexed.
2. Hold your hands and wrists in a neutral position. Extending your wrists puts pressure on the nerves and decreases circulation. Straighten them out as much as possible, especially when you’re at the keyboard for a long time.
3. Slow down and pay attention to what you’re doing. Whether you’re cooking dinner or pruning hedges, mindful and deliberate movements make any task less hazardous. Rushing around wastes time if you land in the hospital.
4. Warm up your hands. Just like you warm up before exercising, you can prepare your hands for any job. Try simple stretches like making a fist and then extending your fingers. Raise your arms over head and reach for the sky. Rotate your shoulders and wrists.
5. Take frequent breaks. Repetitive motions are usually to blame for carpal tunnel syndrome or tendonitis. Rest and stretch for a minute about every half hour while typing or playing tennis. Alternate activities if you can.
6. Treat injuries promptly. Minor injuries can become serious disabilities if neglected. Go to an emergency room if direct pressure fails to stop bleeding within 15 minutes or if you need a tetanus shot. Talk with your doctor if you experience numbness or tingling in your hands.
Hand Safety Tips For Specific Activities
1. Think before carrying. Plan ahead when you shop for groceries or tote around yard tools. Use a wheeled cart rather than a hand basket. If you need to carry a load by hand, get a container that allows you to use two hands and use your arms to help you hold it against your chest rather than dangling it from your wrist.
2. Learn to carve properly. Always cut away from your body with small and controlled movements. Keep knives and work surfaces dry to avoid any slips.
3. Beware of bagel hand. Get a bagel slicer. Otherwise, slice them half way and then stand them on their ends and slice down to finish.
4. Wash cutlery with caution. Groping for sharp objects in soapy water is a recipe for disaster. Wash and dry cutting instruments separately.
5. Prevent paper cuts. In addition to being painful, paper cuts can get infected. You can avoid them by wearing inexpensive medical exam gloves or dabbing on a little olive oil or hand cream.
6. Be smart with personal electronics. Clasp your cell phone or tablet with as little pressure as needed to avoid strain from building up. Switch hands frequently to give each side time to rest.
7. Assess your work station. Good quality chairs, wrist rests and standing desks can help office workers to keep their hands and their whole bodies free of pain. Ask your supervisor to bring in an ergonomic consultant or do your own research online. Many solutions like adjusting your posture or keyboard height are free or cost very little to implement.
Your hands are two of your most precious assets. Prevent common injuries and chronic pain by using them wisely.