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Issue date: 11/5/09 Section: News

Southeast Missouri State University's Wellness Seminars are continuing to encourage people to stay healthy.

The seminars, sponsored by Recreation Services, are half-hour sessions focused on health related topics "that people may not think about or don't know about," says Takeshi Fujii, assistant director of Fitness and Wellness.

Topics have included why fad diets fail and how to maintain the health of one's teeth. One of those topics discussed recently was ergonomics.

Ergonomics is "making sure that you change your environment, whether work place or home, to adjust the need for your body," Fujii said.

The seminar, open to faculty members and students, included a presentation that gave examples on how to change one's environment, such as how to properly adjust a computer keyboard. The seminar suggested that the keyboard should be kept at elbow height and a person should type as if their hands were floating without pressure.

It also included some exercises to promote better ergonomics. One of those exercises, demonstrated by Fujii, included stretching the arms over the head to increase blood circulation and to help reduce muscle tension.

In addition to exercises, Fujii also said a make-shift way to help maintain the proper posture while sitting in an office chair is to put tennis balls in a stocking tied around the lower back.

One person in attendance was Marge Phillips, administrative assistant for the Center for Writing Excellence, who found the seminar helpful and thought-provoking.

"I felt it was a good reminder of what I needed to do," she said.

A complete schedule for the Wellness Seminars can be found online at www.semo.edu and going to the Recreation Services' webpage.

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