Health and Work
How to Stay Healthy at Work - The Physical and Emotional Considerations
How to Stay healthy at Work - Be Aware of the Problems! |
Being in good health whilst at work will go a long way to helping you maintain a healthy work and life balance. Anything that we do that spills over into both areas of your life can only be good, and a healthy attitude at work or home will undoubtedly influence the decisions you make in other areas of life.
So you are healthy, in good shape, you exercise many times a week, you have loads of energy and well you feel great.
Watch out though for those work related health issues! Technology has undoubtedly improved our jobs, tasks that were repetitive and boring can now be undertaken at the flick of a switch.
Sadly though, there are some drawbacks, and by becoming aware of them, you can address them with much more confidence and tackle them head on. Following is a list of some of those areas that may have an impact on your health, both physically and emotionally.
It would be a little irresponsible of us to diagnose a particular condition, after all we are not doctors and we do not of course know your circumstances. Bear this in mind when reviewing the information, if you feel that you are suffering from any of the problems outlined please obtain advise from an occupational health nurse or family doctor.
An Alternative Viewpoint
Choice is part of the cycle towards work life balance, here at Work Life Balance tips we aim to provide enough alternative information which will allow you to make informed decisions.
Please visit Natural Health Information Centre. The place for independent, unbiased,natural health information free from hype, PR companies and the big "Pharmas".
Health Hazards at Work - A brief Overview!
The purpose of the information is to make you more aware of the symptoms, and to highlight possible causes of ill health in the workplace.
Physical Considerations
An incorrect working posture can cause musculoskeletal dis-orders, affecting the kneck, back, shoulders arms and fingers. If you feel any discomfort when you are working at your workstation, please talk to your health and safety representative or visit your doctor.Back Problems
Back problems at work are caused by abnormal strains on the spine, which can damage the tissues. These strains can be either sudden or chronic, sudden strains can be caused by lifting heavy objects awkwardly or simply incorrectly(by bending and not lifting from the knees) chronic pain is usually associated with spending long periods of time in a particular position, the office worker or taxi driver for example.RSI
Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) is becoming ever more widespread as we spend more and more time at our computers. The pain can become so severe that people are unable to work. RSI has been around for a while, Tennis Elbow for example is an example of overuse syndromes, which is what RSI is.Carpal Tunnel
Many experts believe that repetitive overuse of the hand tendons causes them to become inflamed. The keyboard, and its use can be responsible for carpal tunnel syndrome>Headaches
Headaches are very common in all walks of life, so it is not surprising they occur at work. There may however, be specific environmental reasons why some of us suffer more than most. Here are some possible triggers for your headaches.Eye Problems
- Stress, worry and tension
- Disputes with co-workers or even some clients!
- Continual use of VDU or Computer
- Carrying out one particular task for long periods without taking a break
- Missing breakfast or lunch
- Lack of sleep
Looking after our eyes is vital, work and our working environments can have a negative impact on our eyesight. Look after your eyes (we cannot see without them :) ) Ensure you have a sight test at least once a year, and more often if you have any of the following symptoms.
- Problems seeing or reading
- Blurred Vision
- Frequent headaches
- Dizziness
- Pain in the eye ( Slightly different from the pain in the neck who may work in your office)
There are also emotional considerations to take into account when analysing our health and work. Once again the keyword here is awareness, being aware of the emotional side of our health is equally as important as that of the physical elements.
Being aware of how these emotional health concerns can affect our work, our home and family lives cannot be overlooked, if you are suffering from any of the following please seek help as soon as possible, or as in the case of time management concerns, take some positive action and make inroads into your use of time. Whatever is causing you concern, please make every effort to address that concern...and remember that your first port of call should be to your family and friends...they will help enormously...but only if they know that you have concerns...
Emotional Considerations- Recognising Stress/Coping with Stress
- Time Management
- Bullying at Work
- Sexual Harrassment/Equal Opportunities
- Confidence in the Workplace
- Managing Conflict
- Job Fulfillment
10 Ways to Stay Healthy at Work
- Stock up on fruit on Mondays - Have a weekly supply if you can
- Go for a walk at lunchtimes
- Don't just plump for the easy option of fast food
- Go for a swim two or three times a week
- Keep plants in your office
- Hold "Walking Meeting"
- De-clutter your work space
- Ask for an ergonomic chair, keyboard and mouse
- Keep a bottle of water handy on your desk/in your work station
- If you normally e-mail Jane who sits in the next office - pop along and tell her in person - she'll love it and you get a little bit of exercise