While you might think that the chances of getting injured at work when you have an office job are very slim, you might be surprised at just how hard sitting at a desk all day and staring at a screen can be on your body. Luckily, once you know of the possible health hazards of this type of work, you can immediately start to work toward minimizing these threats.
To help you see how this can be done, here are three tips for protecting your body when you have an office job or work in a home office.
Give Your Eyes A Break
The first part of your body that you’re going to want to start protecting is your eyes. Especially if the majority of your work is done from behind a computer screen, protecting your eyes from this device is vital.
The blue light that comes from screens can cause you eye issues like dry eye, blurry vision, headaches and even sleep disorders. But luckily, you can wear glasses or put a protective screen over your computer screen to help block out the blue light.
Another thing you can do is give your eyes a break at regular intervals throughout the day. By looking away from your screens for just a few seconds every 30 minutes or so, you can give your eyes the break they need and keep them from getting overly tired or strained.
Understand Ergonomics
If you’ve ever felt stiff and sore after sitting at your desk all day, you likely don’t have the more ergonomic setup at your workstation. With just a few minor adjustments, you may find that sitting at your desk is much more comfortable all throughout the day.
The point of ergonomics is to put the least amount of stress and strain on your body. This can be done by sitting with your feet firmly on the floor, choosing a chair that supports your legs, back, and arms, and keeping your screen at a height that doesn’t strain your neck. And when you have to use any accessories like a headset, mouse, or keyboard, make sure you’re using these in a way that reduces strain, too.
Stay Hydrated
While we all know how important it is to keep yourself properly hydrated, many people who work in an office environment are chronically dehydrated, which can make the type of work they’re requiring of their bodies even more trying.
To combat this, you should set water goals for yourself throughout the day so that you stay on top of the amount of water you should be drinking. By doing this, you may be able to avoid experiencing mental and physical lulls during the day, as well as keeping your joints lubricated.
If you find yourself sitting in an office chair for the majority of your work day, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you protect your body during this type of task.
Originally posted on April 15, 2022 @ 10:55 am