At a glance, office work may not seem dangerous. There isn’t a lot of heavy lifting going on and certainly no one wears a hardhat to their desk job. While working in an office may not seem like it could pose any health risks, there are several dangers of working in an office that you should be aware of. The good news is that they are avoidable when the proper measures are taken.
Obesity
Food at parties, meetings, corporate events, and random coworkers bringing in treats all add up to extra calories and extra inches around your waistline. If your company isn’t health-conscious, it may be time to take matters into your own hands. Advocate for healthier options at meetings and in the break rooms and vending machines. Bring your own lunch and stock your drawers with healthy snacks. If you are in a position of power, encourage your subordinates to have walk-and-talk meetings and to take breaks every so often. Get more exercise, take the stairs rather than the elevator, park further from the door take walks during your breaks. There are also several “chair exercises” that you can do right at your desk.
Stress and Depression
Many Americans cite work as one of their top stressors. Causes of stress at work include long hours, lack of support, and large workloads. All of these factors lead to very stressed and depressed office employees. It’s well-known how stress and depression can negatively impact a person’s health; issues range from increased illness to suicide. If you are an office worker, be sure to identify why you are feeling stressed. Talk to your manager about those specific things and try to work out a better plan. Also, be sure to use all of your mental health days! One of the major causes of depression is a lack of vitamin “D” aka. the “sunshine vitamin” and so being in an office all day you probably aren’t getting much sunshine. So if you can add the 5 or 10 minute walk in the sunshine that will help also taking a vitamin supplement can also help make up the deficiency. Of course not all depression is from a vitamin deficiency but it is a good place to start. And once again getting more exercise can also help increase your serotonin levels.
Neck and Back Pain
Sitting for too long or having an improper posture leads to neck and back pain for office workers. These issues can affect sleep and productivity, as well as the mental health of the employee. These injuries often end up costing the company a lot of money if the employee is insured through the company. Encourage your employees to stand up and walk around frequently, take yoga, and go to the chiropractor. Some companies also bring in massage therapists to boost mental health and alleviate physical pain.
Contagious Diseases
Germ-ridden surfaces make the workplace a war zone, especially during flu season. Employees may be carrying a virus on their hands before they feel any symptoms, infecting everything they touch and everyone they shake hands with. There are two things you can do to help prevent the spread of illnesses; encourage sick employees to go home and use commercial cleaning services to keep your workspace germ-free. If you share a keyboard or phone with someone else you can use sani-cloth wipes to ensure they are germ free.
Whether you are an employee or a manager, there are steps you can take to avoid health hazards in the workplace. Encouraging healthy habits and hiring the right services to keep your team healthy will help negate these issues.
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