Even though WFH (work from home) or home office can be advantageous because you don’t have to commute to work, or you can arrange your time to do your job while attending to personal matters too, the truth is that it can become detrimental to your health.
The coronavirus pandemic has accelerated its adoption, and there is a big divide between companies, to see whether it is here to stay or if we are going to be going back to the office.
However, this trend had been already implemented for many years with a lot of people knowing its pros and cons. Many consider that it is very beneficial because they can manage their time and work more relaxed without anyone monitoring what they do at every moment; the truth is that it also has negative aspects that could harm your health:
SEDENTARISM
OBESITY
STRESS AND BAD NIGHTS
ISOLATION
MENTAL HEALTH
Yes, as you read it right: doing a home office brings many risks to your life both physically and mentally. Next, we collect the data published by several newspapers so that you can take them into account.
SEDENTARISM
Sedentary lifestyle is the lack of physical activity, and although it is a health risk that can be modified, sedentary people tend to have a greater tendency to obesity, smoking, unbalanced diet, among other ills.
Therefore, if you sit for a long time in front of the computer, the first thing you will feel is pain in the joints and neck, even suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome, which is a condition in which there is excessive pressure on the median nerve of the wrist causing numbness, tingling, weakness or muscle damage in the hand and fingers.
OBESITY
Sitting for a long time, adding to it anxiety, will cause you to consume unhealthy foods such as sweets, soda or fried foods.
If added to this, you put aside physical activity, the only thing you will achieve gaining weight, something detrimental to your health; meaning your body will end up not working well.
"Failure to achieve minimum physical activity goals reduces life expectancy by 3 to 5 years and increases the risk of cancer, heart disease, stroke, and diabetes by up to 30%," Dr Martin N. A, a specialist and internal medicine doctor.
STRESS AND BAD NIGHT
Being at home does not mean that you will only dedicate yourself to work, because there are things that you must accomplish at certain times, but because you are focused you forget them. There are even distractors that all they do is accumulate more work by the end of the day.
If this happens, you will have to run more minutes to your work schedule and work more than necessary, generating stress and affecting your sleep, because you will take part of your time to rest in fulfilling the activities that you had programmed.
ISOLATION
When people only work from home and do not go out at all, they isolate themselves personally and professionally; that is, it generates social isolation.
This can cause a significant increase in the high levels of mortality risk, as well as the risk of myocardial infarction or stroke.
AS A RESULT, HEALTH IS SUFFERING
A study prepared by specialists in ergonomics and occupational health at Fellowes reveals the main ailments derived from teleworking. Or rather, from teleworking done improperly:
53% complain of tired eyes and eye fatigue.
49% say they suffer more headaches.
48% admit to having more back pain.
Physical health suffers, but mental health too:
37% of those surveyed admit that they feel alone and isolated.
52% say they feel stressed and anxious due to the need to always be connected for fear that they think they are not working.
HOW TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR HEALTH IF YOU WORK FROM HOME OR DO HOME OFFICE?
Allocate a space in the house to work. This must be ventilated and with enough natural light. Also, make it a place where you are not too disturbed, but above all respect the schedule and take short breaks to stretch the body.
Exercise every day for 15 to 30 minutes to avoid cardiovascular, muscle and obesity problems.
Respect meal times and do not eat in the workspace, which must remain clean and organized.
Get a massage regularly to help release tension, stress and feel renewed.
Here at Namtip we have very skilled masseuses that can help you with your body relaxation and pain release needs. Please do not hesitate to call us if you have any doubts about our massage therapies, and we will gladly advise you on which services are best for your situation.