The COVID-19 Pandemic forced millions of professionals to start working from home. When it was announced by businesses, it was received with a lot of fanfare and admiration. People posted good things about maintaining a good work-life balance, spending time with their families, and more.
After eighteen months of remote working, the same individuals are fatter, sleeping less, and have started experiencing health risks. The nature of work and activity has become such that it has taken a toll on our physical well-being.
If you are concerned about your physical wellbeing, this article is for you. In this resource article, we are going to look at some major ways remote working is increasing physical health risks in professionals.
List of 5 Health Risks that are being perpetuated by Remote Working
- Eye Damage-
Constant and intense screening into computer screens is taking a serious toll on your eyes. It is causing working professionals eye strains, headaches, blurred vision, lightheadedness, and more. Experts recommend taking regular breaks as well as going for an eye check up at periodic intervals. You need to adjust the display settings to ensure contrast levels are low.
- Digestion Troubles-
If there is one thing that remote working has severely reduced, it is our ability for movement. This has adversely affected our digestion patterns. Most professionals have complained of irregular bowel movements, gas build-up, and a general tendency of heaviness at all times. We are also eating food items that are unhealthy, high on calories, and more.This can affect your dental health as well. If you have crooked teeth, do opt for porcelain veneers at a dentist in concord.
- Bone, Muscles, and Joint Worries-
Human beings are not made to constantly sit in one tight position. If you are a professional that is not exercising, stretching, or using your bones, joints, and muscles, you might be experiencing severe pain. Common issues like neck pains, back strains, and calf muscles are routine for remote working professionals. You need to use your body parts to help them function properly.
- Irregular Sleeping Patterns and Insomnia-
A lot of remote working professionals have pointed out how they are not getting enough sleep at night. The patterns are irregular, erratic, and sporadic. Doctors say that this can happen because of eye strains, poor digestion, lack of physical exercise, and constant worrying about work. Mental health also plays a critical role in influencing sleeping patterns.
- Obesity and Associated Risks-
Gorging on food delivery apps means that the average weight of remote working professionals has increased. This is contributing to rising obesity levels. The associated risks arising from the same are heart troubles, diabetes, kidney problems, and early onset of arthritis. Obesity can also result in reduced energy and sexual drive.
How to Take Care of your Physical Health while Remote Working?
According to medical experts, the following are some ways you can take care of your physical health while remote working-
- Firstly, experts recommend that you need to cut down on the extra time you are spending using computers, television, smartphones, and tablets. Avoid binging on shows online or looking at social media well past your sleeping hours.
- Secondly, you must increase the intake of healthy vegetables and fruits in your diet. According to doctors, you also need to ensure that you are drinking at least three liters of water every day for eliminating toxins from your body.
- Thirdly, remote working professionals need to engage in some form of physical activity. If you do not want to go to a public gym, ensure that are walking for at least an hour every day. Walking your dog briskly can help you in several ways.
- Fourthly, professionals need to stay away from developing a regular drinking habit. During normal work, this was limited to maybe the weekends. With remote working, every evening looks like a weekend. Avoid alcohol and cigarette consumption.
- Lastly, experts recommend following a rigid sleeping pattern. Set proper and defined hours of going to bed. Stop using your phone at least one hour before you go to bed. Take a warm shower if it is possible. This will help your physical and mental health.
The Bottom Line
In this article, we have tried to look at the harmful effects of remote working on your physical health. There is no doubt that remote working has ill effects on mental health as well. However, that topic deserves a separate article in its own right. If you have any other questions, you would like us to answer, please let us know in the comments.