enh: Ergonomics blog post

src/pages/blog/ergonomics/index.mdx

@@ -0,0 +1,91 @@
+---
+layout: ../../../layouts/BlogLayout.astro
+pubDate: 2024/08/18
+title: "The Ergonomic Revolution"
+description: "Improve health and reduce strain with these essential setup modifications."
+---
+
+import BlogPicture from '../../../components/BlogPicture.astro';
+
+### Introduction
+
+I've always been intrigued by how small changes can lead to significant improvements, especially
+when it comes to something as essential as typing. A month ago, I embarked on a journey to
+completely revamp my typing experience by learning not just a new keyboard layout but also a new
+type of keyboard altogether. This post covers my impressions after a month of using a split,
+ortholinear keyboard—specifically the [Voyager](https://www.zsa.io/voyager)—paired with the
+[Colemak-DH layout](https://colemakmods.github.io/mod-dh/). Spoiler: It's been a game-changer[^1].
+
+### The Adjustment Period: Rebuilding Muscle Memory
+
+Switching to a new keyboard layout has been a challenge, but after a month of practice, I’m now
+typing at around 65 words per minute[^2]. That’s a significant improvement from the 30 wpm I started
+with, but still short of my previous max of 110 wpm. I’m confident that, with continued practice,
+I’ll surpass my old speed. But this journey isn’t just about speed. It’s about eliminating poor
+typing habits and replacing them with a setup that’s fundamentally better for my body and workflow.
+
+### Breaking Down the Changes
+
+#### 1. The Voyager Split Keyboard: Ergonomics First
+
+The Voyager split keyboard is a revelation. My previous keyboard—the [IQUNIX F97
+Hitchhiker](https://iqunix.store/collections/hitchhiker-series/products/f97-hitchhiker)—is a
+fantastic piece of hardware, but the Voyager is in a league of its own when it comes to comfort.
+With the split design, my hands rest more naturally, and my shoulders are no longer pulled inward[^3].
+This alignment improvement alone has made typing for extended periods significantly more
+comfortable.
+
+#### 2. Ortholinear Keys: Typing’s Evolution
+
+Ortholinear keys, where keys are aligned in a grid rather than staggered, are simply better[^4].
+The staggered design we’re all used to was born out of typewriter constraints, not ergonomics. With
+ortholinear keys, every finger's movement feels more intentional and precise. There’s a clear
+ergonomic benefit here that’s hard to ignore.
+
+#### 3. Proper 10-Finger Touch-Typing: Less Strain, More Gain
+
+One of the biggest changes I’ve made is enforcing proper 10-finger touch-typing[^5]. This has been
+the best ergonomic decision I’ve ever made. With less reaching and fewer unnecessary movements, the
+strain on my hands and wrists has been reduced dramatically. This translates to less pain, less
+fatigue, and a more efficient typing experience overall.
+
+#### 4. Colemak-DH Layout: The Home Row Hero
+
+Colemak-DH takes the already ergonomic Colemak layout and makes it even better by keeping your most-
+used keys on the home row. It’s designed to minimize finger movement and keep your hands
+comfortable while typing. For someone like me, who spends a significant amount of time programming,
+the inclusion of a symbol layer—where symbols are mapped to easily accessible keys—is a godsend.
+The result? A layout that’s not only ergonomic but also extremely fast.
+
+### The Bigger Picture: Chairs, Posture, and Avoiding Upper Crossed Syndrome
+
+While I’m optimizing my typing setup, it’s crucial not to overlook the importance of overall
+posture. After all, no keyboard layout can save you from the effects of poor posture. I’ve been
+paying close attention to my chair and how I sit while working. Ensuring that my chair supports a
+natural, upright posture is key to avoiding [upper crossed syndrome](https://www.physio-pedia.com/Upper-Crossed_Syndrome)—a condition where the muscles in
+the neck, shoulders, and chest become imbalanced due to poor posture. This syndrome can lead to
+neck pain, shoulder discomfort, and even headaches, which are all productivity killers.
+
+A close friend of mine serves as a cautionary tale—years of unguarded desk work caused them to lose
+67% of the natural curvature in their spine. The resulting chiropractic bills came to $4,500[^6]. That
+was a huge wake-up call for me and played a significant role in justifying the money I spent on
+this new ergonomic setup. Investing in good equipment now feels like a small price to pay for long-
+term health and comfort.
+
+### Conclusion: Embracing the Challenge
+
+Adopting this new keyboard setup is a commitment, but it’s one I’m excited about. I’ve even
+gamified the process with a website that tracks my typing progress and gives me a bunch of stats
+and charts to geek out over. As someone who will be programming for many more years, this feels
+like a worthwhile investment in my professional workflow.
+
+The journey is just beginning, and I look forward to seeing how much my typing speed and comfort
+improve over the coming months. Stay tuned for updates!
+
+[^1]: The Voyager keyboard and Colemak-DH layout are highly regarded in the ergonomics community for their potential to reduce strain.
+[^2]: Typing speed can vary greatly during the learning phase of a new keyboard layout, and 65 wpm is a solid improvement.
+[^3]: Split keyboards are designed to reduce shoulder strain by allowing a more natural hand position.
+[^4]: The ortholinear design helps reduce lateral finger movement, which can be a source of strain in traditional layouts.
+[^5]: Proper touch-typing with all ten fingers is a foundational skill for ergonomic typing, significantly reducing the need for excessive movement.
+[^6]: Unfortunately, it is unlikely that my friend will ever make a full recovery.
+