How Can Working from Home Impact Your Physical and Mental Health?
Working from home is becoming increasingly popular with businesses in the UK. The pandemic provoked a new style of working, and many people prefer it to office-based work. Remote work encourages employees to improve their work-life balance and spend more time at home with the family. Employees can work in the comfort of their own homes without the hassle of commuting and office politics. Genius!
Remote work does have its drawbacks
Accident claim specialists, National Accident Helpline, surveyed 1000 remote workers to find out about the challenges they faced. Most people said they did not have a dedicated workstation at home or the appropriate equipment. Almost half of those surveyed said they had suffered an injury while working at home, and the most common was back pain.
Back pain can happen when home workers are straining to use their laptops. Their office chair might be an uncomfortable kitchen chair that offers no support whatsoever. Their desk might be too low, so they have to hunch over to see the screen. Remote workers need an ergonomic desk set up to stay comfortable and physically healthy. Your desk chair should support your lower back, and your screen should be at eye level. Many workers use a laptop stand and a separate keyboard to raise the screen.
If you’re sitting too long, that can also impact your health so while you might have all of the above, you should take routine breaks where you get up from your desk for a period of time.
Eye strain was also common
A whopping 18% of those surveyed suffered from eye strain while working from home. Eye strain is common and can happen when you look at a digital screen for too long. Remote workers use technology for every part of their job and rarely have time to rest their eyes. You could swap out video meetings for phone calls to give your eyes a break from the screen. Make notes with pen and paper instead of on your laptop.
Repetitive strain from using a laptop
A laptop is perfect for commuters and students who need to carry the device around. However, a laptop can lead to repetitive strain injuries if you use it constantly throughout the day. You need to sit at the desk correctly and take regular breaks from repetitive tasks.
Some people feel lonely at home
Working at home can be isolating and lonely, especially for those who live alone. Physical injuries can often be remedied with a better desk and work setup. However, mental wellbeing can be much more complex to cope with. Employees who feel depressed at home could start working from the office two or three days a week. They can continue to enjoy the comfort of home while also reaping the benefits of the office.
Remote working is new to most people, and it will take time to find your groove.
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