Of course, RSI is something you have at home as well as at work. If certain things you do at home induce symptoms, consider whether it's really necessary for you to do them. If you can't get them done by a housemate or a home help, try and do them in a way that's as easy as possible for you. You can change some things in your household, the aim being to prevent and reduce pain symptoms.

Break up strenuous activities into bits. For instance, don't clean all the windows at once, but do one a day. Don't do all the cleaning on a single day, but divide the strenuous activities over the whole week.
Take regular breaks at home, just as you would at work. If necessary, use an alarm clock to let you know it's time for a break. Strenuous activities should be alternated with relaxing ones. For instance, vacuum the floor and then read the paper, clean the cooker and then nip out to the shops, and so on.

Cooking

• Use ready-sliced, washed vegetables.
• Buy deep-frozen vegetables.
• Use ready-to-use products as much as
  possible.
• Use scissors rather than a knife to open plastic
  bags.
• Work close to your body rather than with your
  arms extended.
• Collect recipes that don't involve much physical
  strain (see this example).

Smooth Italian (for two)

200 grams of tagliatelle

200 grams of minced beef (or tofu)

2 small leeks, diced (can be bought ready-diced)

200 grams of button mushrooms, diced (ditto)

3 tablespoons of pesto

200 ml of tinned tomato chunks

small packet of grated cheese

Boil a pan of water for the pasta. Add a drop of olive oil. Put a teaspoon of olive oil in a non-stick pan on a medium heat and brown the mince. When the water boils, put in the tagliatelle. Add the leeks and mushrooms to the mince and fry gently for five minutes. Fold in the pesto and add the tomato chunks. Heat through. When the pasta is ready, drain it in a colander. Put it in a serving dish, add the sauce and sprinkle some grated cheese over it.

Source: www.jeanne-doomen.net. You will find plenty of handy recipes for people with RSI (only in Dutch) on this website.

Kitchen equipment

• Create a work surface that allows you to work at the right height for you.
• Put things you use a lot (spoons, knives, whisks, etc.) within easy reach.
• Put heavy things in low cupboards.
• Use a tap turner.
• Use an electric tin opener.
• Use a milk-carton opener.
• Use gripping and twisting aids.
• Use a food processor for chopping and slicing.
• Use a dishwasher.
• Use a sponge rather than a brush to wash up.
• Don't dry your crockery and cutlery by hand, but let it dry off by itself.
• Buy cutlery with thick handles, or use tape to make the handles thicker.
• Use sharp knives and have them sharpened regularly.
• Use plastic glasses and tumblers, which are lighter.
• Use thin dishcloths, which are easier to handle.
• Make sure you have a pedal waste bin.
• Smooth flooring (like linoleum,  marmoleum, etc) is easier to clean

Shopping

• Do the shopping every day. Carry light bags back and forth several times rather than one heavy bag.
• Divide the weight of your purchases over several bags.
• Use a bumbag/fanny pack or backpack.
• Once a month, go to the supermarket with someone else and stock up on non- perishables.  Ask the other person to put them away in the cupboard for you.
• Some supermarkets offer free delivery if you spend more than a certain amount. This will save you a lot of effort.

Laundry

• Use a drier.
• Hang your laundry over indoor washing lines without clothes pegs, preferably on a laundry rack.
• Use a laundry box on wheels rather than a laundry basket.
• Make sure the things you need most are at the front of your cupboards.

Sleeping

• Make sure you have a good-quality mat- tress. Get expert advice when buying a new one.
• Make sure you have pillows that support your head properly. Better-quality bed shops will let you take pillows home on trial for a few days.
• If necessary, put one or two extra pillows under your arm.
• Buy a warm duvet.

Clothing

• Muscles get stiffer – and more painful when it's cold. Make sure you're always warmly dressed (for example, wear thermal underwear).
• Wear low-maintenance clothing, for instance clothing that doesn't need ironing.
• Choose trousers with draw-cords or elastic in the waist, which are easier than buttons.
• Wear clothing and shoes with Velcro or zip fastenings, rather than buttons or laces.
• Start wearing gloves as soon as it turns cold.

Personal care

• If you have long hair, have it cut shorter so that it's easier to look after.
• Use tangle-free shampoo and/or conditioner on your hair.
• Have someone else wash your hair.
• Buy bottles with easy closures, or keep ones that are empty so that you can transfer shampoo, liquid soap, etc. into them.
• Use an electric toothbrush.
• If you have difficulty cleaning your teeth, go to a dental hygienist more often to have tartar removed.

Reading

• Use a reading stand to reduce strain on your neck muscles.
• Use a document holder when reading at the computer.
• If you are reading on the couch, use a thick cushion to place the book or rest your arms on.
• Make sure you have a good-quality chair with proper back support.
• The height of the chair and the table should be compatible.
• An adjustable chair is useful, not only at your desk but also in your sitting area.
• Chairs on wheels are easier to move.

Using the phone

• If you have difficulty holding a telephone receiver, use a headset or choose a phone with a loudspeaker. When buying a new phone, make sure that it is easy to operate, that the buttons aren't too small and don't need to be pressed very hard, and so on.
• Similarly, when buying a mobile phone, make sure it is easy to use. Choose a large model.

Gardening

• Design your garden for easy maintenance.
• Reduce the need for bending by creating raised borders.
• Buy pot stands on wheels.
• Ensure a good work posture and use adapted garden tools (available at DIY stores).
• Do a little pruning every day.
• Replace the lawn with gravel sections separated by paving, so that you don't have to use a mower.
• Two-wheeled wheelbarrows are easier to use than single-wheeled ones.
• Make sure your wheelbarrow is at the right height for you.