It is no secret that office work can often be demanding to the modern employee, further intensified by the prolonged work-from-home arrangement still observed by many companies today.
While there is no harm in wanting to go further to earn more or quickly achieve career goals, it becomes problematic when one puts their work first before themselves, sacrificing their health in the process. Let us help you understand the common ailments that office workers typically face today and the remedies that work best for them.
1. Headaches
Many things can cause headaches, but in the office setting, it is typically due to stress caused by factors such as the pressure to perform well, the competitive environment itself, lack of proper sleep, or poor body posture while working.
Take a short break after continuously working for an hour to stretch your muscles and give your eyes a few minutes to rest to ease headaches at work. Moreover, strive to fit in a bit of exercise in your daily schedule since physical activity is one of the best ways to relieve stress, if not the best.
2. Eyestrain
Office work and computer screens are undoubtedly inextricably linked nowadays. Thus, since working more often than not requires interacting with a computer for hours, developing eye strain becomes more than likely as well.
Eye strain is an issue that is commonly associated with a painful sensation and dryness in the eyes. Thankfully, this can be easily prevented by having proper lighting in the working space to avoid turning up the screen’s brightness and following the 20-20-20 rule, which entails looking at an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes.
3. Back pain
Developing bad sitting habits such as slouching becomes easy due to the sedentary nature of a typical workday. When one begins to slouch, they put a lot of pressure around their hips and back. Thus, this causes back pain. However, this is not always because of the individual, but it may also be due to other factors like inadequate office equipment.
To prevent back problems well before they worsen over time, rectify your posture and be constantly aware when you begin to go back to your previous bad posture and put a stop to it. Also, ensure your chair has proper lumbar support. If it does not, do not hesitate to request one from your superiors.
Lastly, get up, stretch, and move around every now and then to avoid sitting for hours since it is vital to not work in one position for extended periods.
4. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a condition wherein pain accumulates around the hands, particularly the wrist. This is caused by the repetitive motion of the hand when doing work, like operating the computer’s mouse and keyboard. If neglected for long, it can develop and cause an itching and numbing sensation around the hands.
At worst, it can lead to a lack of coordination in the fingers and thumbs and weakness. When experiencing the symptoms of this syndrome, it is recommended to seek professional aid immediately via telehealth in Singapore, wherein you can get medical help any time and anywhere using an app on your phone.
To prevent this from happening, check your workspace ergonomics and ensure your hands and wrist are in line with your forearms and that they are parallel or slightly lower to the floor. Finally, do hand stretches every 20 to 60 minutes as well as short breaks.
5. Obesity
Factors such as unhealthy eating options, stress, lack of time for exercise, and a sedentary working lifestyle promote obesity amongst office workers.
There is no doubt that there are plenty of ways to prevent weight gain, but ultimately, they will all require discipline and the will to do what it takes to maintain a healthy weight. These habits include exercising regularly, following a healthier diet, and getting more sleep.
Conclusion
With the office being a rather stressful environment for most employees, it is no surprise that common ailments affect nearly everyone working in such spaces. Thankfully, these can be mostly alleviated with just a few changes and best practices without much issue.
If you’re experiencing some of the ailments listed above and need professional advice, consult a doctor online with the MyCLNQ app now.
As the leading app for telemedicine in Singapore, MyCLNQ provides all the everyday medical services you need in just a few clicks, such as doctor consultation, private ambulance service, and medicinal e-commerce.