Ergonomics

According to Caulton and Dickson (2007), an understanding of ergonomics underpins the ability to “constantly make slight invisible adjustments to an activity to adapt to the needs of those taking part and ensure that it continues to work for its intended purpose” (p. 93).  In simpler terms ergonomics looks at how people within their environments 'fit'  with activities in different ways.

An example of ergonomics from literature is an interview with Martin Fisher, a violin maker.  He describes where he sources the wood from: "the wood all comes from West Germany.  This is another big problem because the industrial pollution in Europe is a factor in sourcing wood" (Fisher & Yeats, 1995, p. 28).  This violin maker needs to adjust the way he operates within his activity depending on the wood he can source, its density and quality.

When I think about it, ergonomics plays a large part in the way I cook. I am more creative in my cooking and more adventurous when I have the time and money to spend researching recipes or finding ingredients at the supermarket.  What I cook will often depend on what is in the supermarket..and what is reasonably priced..I bought grapes for the first time this year last week.  

If the kitchen bench is covered in items that shouldn’t be there, I first have to clear it before I can get started.  The way I cook will change dependent on whether I have time on my own or whether I have just got home and am rushing to get food on the table – if I have time to myself I will spend the time to chop the vegetables evenly..if I am in a rush I pull something out the freezer. 

The intended purpose is always to feed myself and my family, however the way I carry out the activity of cooking seems largely dependent on the physical and human environment around me...ergonomics.

References

Caulton, R. & Dickson, R.  (2007).  What’s going on? Finding an explanation for what we do.  In J. Creek & A. Lawson-Porter (Eds.), Contemporary issues in occupational therapy (pp. 87-114).  Chichester, England: John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Fisher, M. & Yeats, M. (1995).  Interview with Martin Fisher - Violin maker.  Occupation, 6(2), 24-34.

Participation in Occupation 2

So back again for more in Semester 2! Bit of a different slant on things this semester..we will now be exploring participation in occupation and the needs that this meets. 

I am going to talk cooking...an activity I love but also one that I do out of necessity.

Green (1968) agrees, "the gathering of nourishment,...is not only necessary; it is also endless. ... The purpose of this activity is to provide for the seeds of comsumption: food is taken from the earth, after all, in order to be consumed" (p. 17). 


Cooking is an important part of my day - not only does it feed my family but also I love food and the variety that food can deliver.  I 'm not a creative cook but I do enjoy trying new things. My skill of cooking comes from my mum and some of the meals (especially those I call comfort foods) I cook today are based on what we as a family would eat when I was a child. 

Often when I am cooking I am juggling other things, but I still do get satifaction from it - I enjoy standing at the bench chopping veg - there is something therapeutic about it.  Cooking can focus the mind and often gives me thinking time.

I enjoy the planning of cooking too - it helps me feel in control of that part of my family's life...and I like to feel in control!!

So in a few key words and phrases what does cooking mean to me?
caring for my family, trying new things, satisfaction , relaxation, thinking time, planning.

If I was to look at cooking through my OT eyes however these words change somewhat: life skills, sequencing, budgeting, fine motor skills, relaxation, purposeful/meaningful activity, and routine. 

Finally if I think about cooking mindfully - by which I mean focusing on the here and now of the cooking experience what would help and hinder me to do so?

Certainly the distractions of my family wouldn't help me cook mindfully or the distractions of my thoughts about what I need to do next.  The following is an extract of mindfulness when I was cooking sausages and beans for the children:

Opening the drawer for the tin opener I note the clatter my hand is making from moving the appliances around, I feel the coolness of the steel knives on my fingers, my eyes scan the drawer knowing I am looking for something black and silver.  I sense the way I am standing - feet back, bum out, ..Diesel is between me and the cupboards again...I note my mind is not in the here and now when it comes to my thoughts-it is focussing on what next...


References


Green, T. F. (1968).  Work, leisure and the American schools.  New York, USA: Random House.