Avoiding Repetitive Stress Injuries When Gift Wrapping

Wrapping Christmas presents can be a daunting challenge. It can also challenge your body, mostly because you do not do it often, but you will do it for hours during the season. Ergonomics can help. Be aware of the stress your body will be under and take appropriate measures to ward off repetitive stress injuries. If you already suffer from a repetitive stress injury this is doubly important.

What to Watch Out For

You will be writing, folding and cutting a lot. You need to watch out for repetitive stress injuries of the wrist and hand like:

• Bursitis
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Tendonitis
• Writer's Cramp
• Cramping
• Blisters

You will also need to watch out for sitting induced injuries such as:

• Leg Cramps
• Back Pain
• Pelvic Pain
• Deep Vein Thrombosis

Eye strain due to poor lighting and back strain do to package lifting are also concerns.

How to Avoid Them

Understanding the repetitive stress injury is always the first step. After that, following these tips will help:

• Maintain a healthy posture while wrapping presents
• Use an ergonomic setup for wrapping presents
• Stretch every 30 minutes
• Get up and take a break every hour
• Follow these tips to avoid wrist repetitive stress injuries
• Work in a well lit environment
• Use ergonomic tools for wrapping presents
• Use scissors sized for your hand
• Use moving equipment, like a hand truck or dolly, to move large packages