Question

This might seem silly, and if there is no good and practical solution... I will live.

I am a programmer and sit at a computer 10 hours a day - and even though the rest of me is nice and warm (at least warm), my fingers are cold as ice.

Are there some gadgets or tricks to keep your fingers warm while typing/mousing? Gloves do not seem like a good solution, since it hinders the movement of the fingers.

I have sometimes put my extra laptop next to the mouse pad, so that it vents hot air on the mouse - and that works... But it is not very practical, plus it only works for one hand (and not very well).

Tips?

Answer 1

Maybe you can use something like an USB powered hand warmer.

Although, I would try to solve the underlying problem. Cold fingers usually mean bad circulation there. Do you smoke? Perhaps you should move your chair oder change your keyboard so that your blood flow is not restricted?

Answer 2

When it gets cold in my office (cheap building with leaky walls and windows) I wear knitted fingerless gloves. A bit awkward, and the tips of my fingers still get cold, but they do help a lot.

Answer 3

Pushups, just one or two every 15 minutes, if you can do it without your coworkers thinking you're mad. Otherwise, tighten your abs while you work. This will heat up your whole body, including your fingers.

Answer 4

Maybe drink tea of coffee, the warm mug can help you to keep your fingers alive..

Answer 5

Get up and walk around every half hour to hour. That also helps improve circulation, increases blood flow, and wakes you up too. If there is a stairway, go up and down one flight of stairs on your walk.

Answer 6

I had similar problems a while ago and as many have pointed out, this is a circulation issue. The simple solution is: sport.

About a year ago, I started running regularly to recover from a surgery. Not only did it improve my well-being in general, but it also solved the cold hands issue and the blackouts when standing up. You don't have to do much, but a little workout will make you feel better. And who knows, you might even grow to like it.

Answer 7

Have you tried these?

Answer 8

Perhaps fingerless gloves?

Answer 9

I hope you will not be continously working for 10 hours. So while thinking on work, just rub your hands together. Repeat it whenever you think while working! It will keep your hand and fingers a little warmer :)

Answer 10

Increase the ambient temperature or put on a sweater... when your body is cool/cold, your extremities (fingers, for example) will be cold.

Answer 11

I would also suggest getting the circulation in your hands checked by a doctor. Assuming that it is OK, I would suggest getting a pair of fingerless gloves. I doubt you need anything heavy, even a thin pair of fingerless cotton gloves would be enough. I've heard of church organists wearing them (not for warmth, but to keep oil from their skin from getting on the organ). I don't have your problem so I can give a personal recommendation, but a quick google of fingerless gloves turned up several listings.

Answer 12

You might try breathing deeper. Shallow breath may lead to cold hands and fingers. Breath slower but deeper for a couple of minutes and see if it makes a difference.

Answer 13

It's a circulation thing. Let me guess - you have your arm below the desk? Try moving your mouse further away and keeping your arm a bit higher.

Of course, it could just be that it's cold wherever you are, in which case I'd invest in a nice pair of gloves :)

Answer 14

My short-term fix for cold hands is washing with hot water. It feels great. :)

Answer 15

Gloves. 'Take a good, hard look at your first revision and just say to yourself, "Gloves".'

;).

Answer 16

Do you have a mild form of Reynaud's Syndrome? I used to get cold fingers playing the guitar sometimes, and traced it to possible mild R.S.

Answer 17

Small, portable space heaters often do the trick. Set one on your desk positioned so it will blow across your keyboard (preferably an external keyboard and not the keyboard attached to your laptop).

Answer 18

I usually put my hands under the office hand dryer - periodically. It really helps for a while.....

Answer 19

If you know someone that knits, ask them to make you some fingerless gloves. Also, many malls sell small herbal bags that are inexpensive and could be heated in the microwave. Heat it and set a small one under your hand near your mouse. It will keep it warmer. Checking for circulation is important, but so is taking regular breaks. Try several ways and see what works. Also, if you sew, make a small bag of 100% cotton and fill it with dried beans or dried rice. This heats well in the microwave and can be used often. Put it near your mouse and warm your hands when necessary. Very inexpensive and it works for me.

Answer 20

I use a small heating pad that I secure with clips to the desk so that it is not directly under the keyboard. I also have it placed more to the right so that my hands are warm while using the mouse also. When I am not typing or clicking, my hands are resting on the heating pad. I also purchased a heated foot mat. That helps alot.

Answer 21

Getting cold feet (and fingers)? Warm them up with these tips from Brian Harrington, a family physician with a practice in Steamboat Springs, Colorado.

• Put them in warm water. Water conducts heat 25 times faster than air.
• Let a pal with warm hands rub yours.
• Stay hydrated. This helps incease the volume of blood flowing to your digits.
• Don't smoke. Nicotine constricts blood vessels and prevents blood form reaching your extremities.

Warming Up Hands & Feet

I also agree with a previous comment, using a space heater uses a lot of amps, especially if you already have quite a few computers or electronic devices in the same circuit, these babies will trip breakers quite often.

Answer 22

Gloves might be a little extreme, as they make using the keyboard and mouse hard, but if you do go that route I've found that running gloves are quite good since they are nice and thin and give you more control over the mouse & keyboard.