Your Office Job Might Be Ruining Your Body

There might be some science behind the aches and pains you experience on a daily basis—your desk job might be ruining your body. From excessive hours spent seated to bad air quality, there’s a bevy of things to be aware of as you head into the office each day.

Most of us—and about 86 percent of the American workforce—spend eight or more hours a day in a chair. Sitting, however, can have a majorly negative impact on our health. Sitting for long periods of time is actually terrible for our bodies; it increases the risk of obesity, cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and skeletal disorders. You may think your tough workout session before or after work can combat these negative effects, but unfortunately, scientists have found that isn’t the case. Ask your supervisors if you can take a break every so often to take a walk around the building. Better yet, request a movable standing desk that can take you from seated to upright in seconds. Companies like VariDesk offer plenty of options; they’re not cheap, but the investment is likely worth the inherent health benefits.

We don’t often realize how much clutter and chaos can wreak havoc on our mental state, but if you’re less than organized and often find yourself searching through your office for things you need, it’s time to get a handle on your organization. The more the eye has to take in, whether it be stacks of paper or loud decorations leftover from the office’s last inhabitant, the harder it is for your brain to maintain focus. Sometimes the easiest way to reduce clutter is to minimize the materials in your office. Instead of littering shelves with knick-knacks and books you’ll never use in the workplace, stick to clean, modern décor. You can order from a site like TouchofModern.com and find simplistic décor offerings that will add a bit of personality but maintain an air of professionalism and cleanliness that your superiors and clients will notice and your brain will appreciate.

You probably never thought about the air you’re breathing inside your office, but in many office buildings, the air can be up to 100 times dirtier than outside. Unfiltered air found recirculating throughout the building can contain gases, chemicals, bacteria, and even mold. Ever heard the phrase “Sick Building Syndrome”? It refers to cases in which individuals within a specified building experience immediate health effects with no real cause identified, and these maladies can affect your output and productivity. In “The Sick Building Syndrome”, author Sumedha M. Joshi explains the effects of this office-related illness: “It reduces work efficiency and increases absenteeism. Most of the complainants report relief soon after leaving the building, although lingering effects of neurotoxins can occur.”

Slouching not only affects your posture, but your health as well. Many of us don’t realize we slouch, and one easy way to remedy this position is to alter the position of our computer monitors. Instead of looking down at a laptop and hunching your shoulders, purchase a movable monitor arm that allows you to keep the monitor at eye level. This will prevent your neck from craning and your back from curving, maintaining better pressure and keeping you more comfortable throughout the day.

Most offices have vending machines set up for snacking employees to get their mid-afternoon snack, but unfortunately, most of these vending machine are filled with junk food which can have a terrible effect on our waistlines and overall health. Many such snacks are filled with unhealthy and toxic refined sugars. If you’ve noticed weight gain and tend to hit up the office vending machine on a daily basis, start packing your own healthy, fresh snacks. Cut up fruits and veggies and keep them in the office refrigerator for ease and accessibility. You’ll feel more energized, and likely find the pounds falling off.

Being stuck inside an office building all day, especially if you’re seated in an area that doesn’t have access to natural light, can really cut down on your Vitamin D intake. Lack of sunlight doesn’t only effect your happiness; artificial light can also ruin your sleeping patterns, throwing off your REM cycle and causing lethargy and fatigue during the day. Take your lunch break outside and make sure you soak in some sunny rays, and if you’re in a commonly overcast city like Seattle, look into sunlamps that best mimic the natural full spectrum of sun light.

If you stare at a computer screen all day long, your eyes are straining to focus on text and imagery for hours at a time. This can cause immediate and sometimes long-lasting impairments to your vision. Squinting at a screen can also cause headaches and migraines. Be sure to take breaks from your computer screen and keep the brightness level up to ensure your eyes aren’t straining in the dark.