Office work is usually very busy. At the same time, there are risks to physical and mental health. While many other types of work can be hazardous to health, high-risk work in the office involves one’s own physical and emotional health risks. This is evidenced by a number of studies cited by Healthdigest.com.
According to a study published in the journal Insider, about 86% of adults who work in the office and sit most of the day are in an immobilized state, which leads to an increased risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, musculoskeletal disorders, venous thrombosis, neurological diseases. and diseases of the peripheral nervous system.
Compensation for sedentary life by physical activity is vital, but often insufficient. The body needs constant movement throughout the day to function properly. Exercise stimulates the cardiovascular system and reduces metabolic disorders associated with a number of other diseases.
Working in the office also means an increased risk of respiratory diseases, allergies, disorders, because the premises are air conditioned, closed and often many people work. In addition, many workplaces located in homes with mold, fungus and potentially toxic bacteria are at high risk of developing these pathogens.
Air conditioning and poor ventilation are not the only problems that increase the risk of lung disease. Small particles of paper, printers and other office supplies saturate the air in the office, get into the airways and accumulate there for a long time. This is another prerequisite for lung disease, respiratory disorders, asthma, allergies.
Insider experts note another harmful trend associated with office work – poor sleep. According to a 2019 study published in the journal Somnologie and again cited by Healthdigest.com, exposure to natural sunlight during the day has a positive effect on sleep. Office workers are often deprived of natural sunlight, working in rooms with artificial lighting or the absence of any lighting due to the darkened environment in the premises. This is a strong negative impact on the mechanisms of sleep, leads to disorders, sleep disorders, insomnia.
Read also: The world has exploded long-term accommodation bookings that work remotely online
Office work also has a negative effect on mental health. Long trips to the office, meetings with colleagues, fights with superiors, forced motivation and plans are just some of the stressful events that office workers face every day. All of these and similar factors can increase stress levels as well as depression.
Boredom and indifference are another part of the problem associated with mental depression and emotional state in office workers. According to researchers from University College London, who surveyed more than 7,000 office workers aged 35 to 55, more than 37% of them had extremely high levels of boredom and apathy.
This can affect not only the level of depression, but also overall performance in both professional and personal life.
Office work is inevitable for many people, but it is very important to find a way to compensate for the negative effects of this work environment in their free time.
For those who care about a healthy lifestyle, we recommend reading: “Scientists have told why it is better to sleep in socks.”