This is part 3 of a three part series on staying healthy. The third topic is staying healthy at work. Human beings were not designed to sit all day at a desk looking at a computer screen. Remember that activity is essential to human wellbeing and should be continued. Don’t sit longer than one hour at your desk. Rearrange your work station so that it is necessary to move around rather than continuous sitting. Moving a printer away from your desk can be beneficial.
It is necessary in our modern work environment to sit and utilize computers and use the keyboards attached to them. Continuous typing can be very destructive to the human body. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and also neck and back impingements are caused by repetitive movements. Place the keyboard in a position that takes pressure off the wrist. Also consider utilizing the various types of ergonomic keyboards that are now available. Use cushioned keyboard and mouse pads. There are many alternatives to the traditional mouse in order to minimize finger and hand injuries. Computer screens should be placed at eye level. If it is not possible to move the computer monitor, alter the height of the chair. Keep your feet flat on the floor and utilize a floor stool if necessary.
Our eyes are negatively impacted by the continuous staring at computer screens, televisions, tablets, and smart phones. Our eyes become drier due to the decreased blinking. There are over-the-counter eye drops to maintain moister in your eyes. Plan to allow breaks for your eyes just as you plan for body breaks. Every 5 to 10 minutes plan to take a 15 to 30 second break. Look away or just close your eyes.
For your body break, walk around and stretch while you are walking. The distance is not important and the pace should be consistent and not hurried. Not all meeting have to be sitting. Just getting water or going to the bathroom can be beneficial. Maintain awareness of your body so if you start feeling tense or stiff, perform some activity to maintain blood flow. A quick and easy desk stretch exercise can be seen in the Real Simple video (http://www.realsimple.com/health/fitness-exercise/stretching-yoga/stretch-at-work).
No matter how proactive you are about your health, everyone will eventually experience a cold or some other short term illness. Because of our work culture, most employees feel that they must go to work no matter their health condition. This had made the workplace a breeding ground for bacterial and viral infections. The most responsible action is to remain at home. Staying home means that you rest. This is not the time to continue working. Give your body the time to heal.
To assist with further research in the topic of staying healthy at work, the following is offered as possible resources:
6 Tips for Staying Healthy With A Desk Job – http://www.careerealism.com/staying-healthy-desk-job-tips/
5 Tips For Maintaining Eye Health At Work – http://www.careerealism.com/eye-health-work/
