7 Major Health Hazards for Office Workers
May 2024
Office work is often associated with time spent behind a computer or desk, but prolonged periods of repetitive tasks and static postures can pose some unexpected health hazards for office workers.
From physical issues to strains on mental well-being, employees logging long hours in front of screens or shuffling paper face an array of potential issues that we should be aware of.
Our friends at Pacific Prime CXA are here to share with us the 7 major health hazards for office workers, hoping to empower you with a deeper understanding of these occupational risks so that you can protect your health with confidence.
Health Hazard #1: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is a condition that causes numbness, tingling, and pain in the forearms and hands, caused by irritation and inflammation from repetitive movements such as typing. Common signs are numbing in hands or wrists, tingling in fingers, and hand weakness.
Prevention
Make sure to hold your wrists in a neutral position rather than a bent position if you’re working on a computer for an extended period of time. If you’re feeling slightly fatigued, take regular breaks to stretch your hands by shaking your hands or bending your fingers forward and backward.
Health Hazard #2: Lower Back Pain
Sitting down for extended periods can add tremendous pressure to the back muscles and spinal discs, causing lower back pain.
Prevention
Start by adjusting your sitting posture. Check if your arms are parallel to the ground and your head is not protruding forward beyond its natural position. You can also try standing more and walking around the office to get the blood circulating through your body.
Health Hazard #3: Eye Strain
Locking on a computer screen for hours can strain your eyes, leading to further headaches, back pain, and dry eyes.
Prevention
You can adjust the screen brightness to the right level and reduce glare from the sun or lights in the office by closing the blinds or adjusting your screen positioning.
Look away from the computer screen for a couple of minutes whenever possible, and use eye drops or artificial tears to moisturize your eyes.
Health Hazard #4: Obesity
Obesity is one of the most common health hazards for office workers as a result of a conglomerate of unhealthy habits, such as sedentary lifestyles, a lack of physical activities, consumption of junk food, and increased levels of stress.
Obstructed blood flow attributed to blood vessel congestion also raises complications such as heart disease or diabetes and has negative effects on muscles and posture.
Prevention
Change up your work diet plans by incorporating more fruits and vegetables. Avoid eating too many large meals. It is also advisable to pick up the habit of doing sports or exercising at home if time is a concern for you.
Health Hazard #5: Colon Cancer
When it comes to a diet low in fruits and vegetables, office workers sitting for hours have an increased risk of getting colon cancer.
Prevention
As with many potential health issues mentioned before, you can lower the risk of colon cancer by incorporating more physical activities around the office and a healthy diet that ensures adequate consumption of dietary fiber.
Health Hazard #6: Headache
Headaches do not come without reason. Neck and back tension resulting from sitting for long periods, prolonged computer usage at work, stress from workload, and noise disturbances are all conducive factors for headaches.
Prevention
To treat work-related headaches, you can appropriately take breaks by going out for a walk or even taking deep breaths to clear and destress your mind. If that didn’t work out, try drinking plenty of water, listening to calm music, or stretching.
Health Hazard #7: Anxiety
We have covered a range of physical health hazards, but it’s more than just that. Deadlines, disturbances, a lack of direction on tasks, or improper task prioritization could all contribute to work anxiety.
As physical wellness and mental well-being are interconnected, the culmination of anxiety could result in decreased job satisfaction, affected sleep patterns, and burnout.
Prevention
Aside from some of the basics we’ve talked about, it is of utmost importance to focus on life beyond work. Take lunch breaks with peers, develop hobbies, and talk to friends and families about your concerns.
Prioritize Your Health with Pacific Prime
As an expat in Singapore, it could be difficult to adjust to Singapore’s work culture. You could be stressed out trying to adapt to the work mode, neglecting your health as a result. As such, securing health insurance to put your health first is not a bad idea after all.
With comprehensive health insurance at hand, you can receive coverage for regular health check-ups, telemedicine consultations, and mental health support whenever, and wherever you are.
Pacific Prime CXA has over 20 years of experience in finding the best insurance plans for your needs and budget, with their cutting-edge online quotation tool that gets you quoted by renowned insurers in just 5 minutes.
If you are uncertain about your healthcare needs, talk to their expert advisors today!
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