“Wear a helmet if you are walking on a construction site.”

“Wear a PPE if you are working on a chemical plant.”

“Wear rubber gloves while dealing with electrical work.”

We could go on and on with such examples. But what about employees doing desk jobs? Do they have to follow specific rules while working? Or all they have to do is just sit at the desk and wrap up their work?

Well, the answer to the above question is technically “no.” But the answer followed by employees is “yes.”

Employees sit at their desks for hours, complete tasks, and walk off. This autonomous routine is more dangerous than it seems. The sudden utterances of oohs and aahs are not just reflexes. They are the body’s way of telling you to Pay Attention!

Ways in Which Your Desk Job Is Destroying Your Body

You can only imagine that desk jobs bring back pain, swollen legs, and strained shoulders like problems. But digging deeper, they destroy your body internally too. Of course, the musculoskeletal disorder is the major problem here, but desk jobs cause diabetes, high blood pressure, and even heart and skin problems!

Here are (some, not all) ways a desk job destroys your body internally and externally with solutions for preventing them.

1. Over Exposure to Air Conditioning

If you do not take regular breaks and visit outdoors, overexposure to air conditioning can lead to breathing problems, migraines, and sinus. Additionally, if the AC is poorly maintained, it contains pollutant particles that can cause serious health issues.

Solution: Take a break now and then and get exposed to the outside temperature. Initially, the body may feel different due to temperature differences. But in winter, look for sunlight; in the summer, even a few minutes in the shade is enough.

2. Working Over-Time

There is a reason the regulatory bodies have defined working hours for employees. It is a red flag if your desk job insists on making you work more than 8 hours. The more time you dedicate, the more heart, liver, kidney, and other organ problems can be created.

Solution: Work overtime only when it is necessary. Do not make it a habit. Maintaining a work schedule can also set examples for your peers and organization.

3. Exposure to Screens and Lights

Prolonged exposure to screens and lights leads to poor vision, migraines, and other types of headaches. And to eliminate them, you might start consuming painkillers to add to your woes. So this problem and your solution both degenerate your health.

Solution: Schedule your screen times with the help of apps (various options are available on the web.) If you notice that your eyes are hurting, take a quick break. Wash them with cold water and relax them before returning to the screens. If you wear glasses, try to wear the ones that allow minimum eye radiation.

4. Mental Strain

Tight deadlines, boredom, stress, anxiety, and all the negative feelings at the workplace can amplify and intensify health problems. Mental stress leads to heart stroke, blood pressure, and even brain-related disorders. There are studies done to prove that mental strain at workplaces can lead to early dementia and Alzheimer’s.

Solution: Ensure that your organization has a mental awareness program. Talk to your peers or authorities if you feel strained, bored, or treated differently. When HR organizes activities for physical and psychological well-being, attend to them with full zest.

5. Physical Strain

And last but not least, let us address the elephant in the room. The physical strain leading to musculoskeletal disorders is rising like never before. Employees have literally started living with lower back pains and neck strains. Sitting in one place for hours leads to reduced mobility in the overall body.

Solution: We need to take breaks regularly. Regular exercises like stretching legs, arms, back, and shoulders can reduce pain and strain significantly. Therefore, just put reminders and stroll around the office and see what a big difference it makes!

Remember, Your Health Comes First

Desk jobs may sound easy, but they can create turmoil for the body if taken leniently. Regardless of your desk work, always remember that health comes first. If you are healthy, then only your body can work and not vice versa.

That’s All, Folks

Business challenges emerge in every sector, but the actual game is experimenting with the latest technologies. This lets you know what works best for you, your organization, and your work culture.

If you still have questions, contact IT experts to drive better business outcomes and support priorities.

By Categories: HR

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