Even with a well-fitting bag, the tendency with a regular backpack is to lean forward to counteract the added weight on the shoulders and back.  The Bak2Pak fixes that problem by transferring the load of the bag onto the pelvis and lower back, which promotes a more erect posture and reduces strain on the spine.

The adjustable shoulder straps are well-padded.  The back strap allows you to adjust the height of the bag on your hip.  The chest strap helps to distribute the load to the front of the body.  My only complaint is the waist strap, which I find too thin.  A wider and better padded waist strap would help stabilize the bag on the pelvis and reduce strain on the back and shoulder.

The Bum Back Hybrid’s strap system is adjustable so that the bag can be used as a backpack or a messenger bag.  But keep in mind that ergonomically, the backpack option is easier on the body because it reduces energy consumption and promotes better body symmetry.

All and all, no matter what you want to call this bag, it gets my vote.  I like it!

You can hold it in either hand to prevent thing bag straps from digging into your hand.  But I prefer using the extendable strap (up to 1.2 meter) to carry the load on the shoulder or across your body “messenger style”.

The Yoke Shopper can carry up to 6 plastic bags.  Other bags work too as long as the handle is not too thick.

The Yoke Shopper is a nice ergonomic gadget allowing you to reduce your energy expenditure and improve your posture when carrying one or multiple bags. Plus, it leaves your hands free to continue shopping or multi-task.  Don’t blame me if you end up buying more because you feel you can carry more!

PS.  Limit the weight you carry.  It should not exceed 15% of your body weight.

Think about simple key commands that you use all the time, like the famous “cut & paste” — Ctrl-X and Ctrl-V.  The fingers stretch in different directions to reach two keys simultaneously, a contortion that ergonomists call an “awkward posture.”

If you find yourself often repeating the same strokes and commands, X-keys from PI Engineering may be the perfect solution to save your hands and improve your productivity.

X-keys Desktop

X-keys is basically a speed dialer for your computer.  It reduces multiple keystrokes to a single touch.  You can program any sequence of keystrokes, such as a string of text, or any key combinations, like the cut and paste functions, into a single key. You can even program it for mouse commands, such as double click, menu click, etc.

It’s a very simple tool, so don’t be intimidated by the need to “program” it. Even I can handle it and I am not a techie person, to put it kindly.  When my computer or any electronic gadgets in my house start misbehaving, I cry for help, and my techie partner comes to the rescue. There’s a reason I’ve always made good friends in the tech support departments wherever I’ve worked.  But with the X-keys, I can proudly say that I can program it myself and have never needed help.

There are just a few steps to follow:

1)    Flip the switch on the side of the unit to put it in the programming mode.

2)    Select a key on the X-key pad by pressing it.

3)    Type in your text, your key combination or your mouse function that you want to save.

4)    Conclude the programming by hitting the selected key on the X-key pad once more and, Voila!

You can follow the same steps for any other keys to be programmed. When you’re done, just flip the switch on the side of the unit back to “use” mode. If you change your mind or your needs change, follow the same steps to “reprogram” the whole unit or a single key.

X-keys Stick

X-keys comes in various sizes and configurations.  My favorite ones are the Stick and the Desktop, which should both be placed within easy reach. The Stick version works well when positioned either above or below a standard keyboard. The Desktop X-key can be placed to either the right or left of the keyboard, depending on what type of keyboard you use and where you position your mouse.

This is a great product that can significantly reduce repetition and awkward posture of the hands, as well as improve your productivity.  X-keys is an ergonomist’s delight!

The notable exception to this practice is the way that Malians carry babies, which are carried resting on their mother’s back.  The women wrap a long strip of fabric around their back and chest and put the baby inside, supporting the baby’s weight on their pelvis.  While I’m still not sure how it is all tied up to hold securely, both mother and child appear to be very comfortable. It is a traditional solution that is both economical and ergonomically sound.

So I was pleased to notice for the first time upon my return to the US the ERGObaby carrier. And since then I’ve started seeing them everywhere.  Now compare the two pictures below. Can you see the similarities?

The main and most important feature of this style of carriage is that it allows the mother to carry the baby’s weight on her pelvis.  When walking around, the pelvis is a strong and stable part of the body.  It can sustain added weight without compromising the gait or posture. In contrast, carrying weight on the back and chest relies on the muscles that keep your spine erect. These muscles tend to fatigue easily, causing the back or chest to slump, which then compromises your posture. By carrying their babies’ weight on their pelvis, mothers are able to stand nicely upright, keeping their hands free. (No matter where you live in this world, mothers multi-task.)

As for the babies, they are supported next to their mother’s back with their weight and contact pressure distributed between the child’s thighs and hips.  The distribution of pressure is important to maintain circulation and comfort.

Now, I don’t want to cause anyone to panic (Toddy), but the ERGObaby is already on my wish list.   As they say so well on their site:  “This is the all-in-one soft baby carrier, assisting you through all the stages of your baby’s growth and moving from front to hip to back position easily”.

Ergonomically, I am a big fan of carrying the baby on the back, but flexibility and options for other positions are always a plus for both the mother and the child.  The ERGObaby is also easily adjustable with the waist and shoulder strap fitting a wide variety of body types.

P.S. No offense to the fathers but this post only talks about mothers.  Just like anywhere in the world, the Malian fathers are very caring and devoted to their children. But I only saw mothers carrying babies on their backs.

Although automation often disappoints, this is an application where I’m pretty sure nobody will complain that a robot stole their job.  This automated vacuum cleaner is a real ergonomic marvel and such a time-saver.  It vacuums hardwood floors, linoleum, carpet and rugs without a problem. The only challenge is the stairs.  With the push of a button, it vacuums a whole room independently while I run out to work or sit on the couch.  It even comes back to its home base for charging.

While there are various models, some of which you can program to start automatically, the most you will have to do is bend down to push the start button and get it going.  Ergonomically speaking it is efficient and it protects your body from the awkward posture and repetitive motions of manual vacuuming by simply eliminating them.  You can now vacuum the whole house without any lifting, bending, holding or push-pulling.

Madame Roomba, as we call it, now comes out regularly and our house always looks nice without much effort.

I first discovered My Page Up when travelling through Belgium with my father in 2001.  We were in a boutique looking for small presents and souvenirs to bring back when these cute paper-holding gizmos caught my attention.  There they were in all sorts of colors:  little document holders!  They make adorable presents, very useful and reasonably priced.  Needless to say, I filled my suitcase and everybody got one!

My Page Up is a wonderful little tool.  They are aesthetically pleasing and now come in various colors and designs to fit your moods or your décor.  They are small, simple, and easy to use.  While they are meant to hold only a few pages at a time, they can hold as many as 20.

The only one I now have left moves around the house quite a bit.  We use it in the kitchen to hold up recipes while cooking, in the office to hold a document while typing, in the living room to hold sheet music while playing the guitar, etc.

My Page Up provides an easy solution any time you need to read a document while doing something else with your hands without compromising your posture.