How You Can Avoid Work-From-Home Hazards
By Sara Butler
Working from home is becoming more and more common thanks to the trusty internet. There are many benefits to working from home (can't beat the commute), but just as many pitfalls. Sure, you may not need to sit in traffic for hours a day, but you also don’t have an incentive to get up to put your pants on. Yes, there are hidden health dangers to working at home. Here are a few of them and what you need to do in order to avoid them.
Create a Commute
While it may be nice not to have the stress that getting to work in the morning can bring with it, you still need to create a commute for yourself in order to transition from home to work in your mind. It’s not good for your mental health or your productivity to be at home all the time, so create some separation by getting up, getting dressed, going somewhere. This way, you can create some mental separation when you get back home and get down to your work for the day. It’ll help to keep you sane and focused. Maybe a morning walk or bike ride around the block?
Get Social
You're a mammal and are therefore a social creature. You need other people! One of the benefits and drawbacks of working at home is not having officemates to talk to. Some people may like avoiding office politics or gossiping coworkers, but it’s not a secret that humans are basically social creatures that need interaction. If you’re not getting a daily dose of human contact, then you need to create it for yourself. Join a club or take a group exercise class – something that gets you out and gets you socialized.
You don’t want to be Sandra Bullock in The Net. If you don’t know what that is, look it up while you’re procrastinating on getting to work and view it as a cautionary tale.
Get a Real Desk
While it may seem like a great thing to able to work from your couch, it’s not healthy for your body. Sitting on your favorite couch or chair all day, slumped over without proper support for your body will lead to major problems for your back, neck, shoulders, arms, and hips. Get a proper desk and create an ergonomic workstation in your home. Pants are still optional, so don’t worry.
Working from home can be great, but you have to protect yourself to stay productive and healthy!
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic.