Is Your Office Job Affecting Your Health?

If you are one of the millions of people with an office job, you may feel the strain it can put on your body. Whether it be back pain, restless legs or eye strain, sitting down in front of a computer all day can take a toll and could lead to long-term health concerns. Your nine-to-five could be affecting your health more than you know. 

In this blog, we’ll outline some of the ways your office job could be affecting your physical health and look at ways you can combat it to ensure a comfortable working environment. We will also provide you with expert advice endorsed by Dr Patrick Ryder (MChiro), Founder of Dublin City Chiropractic.

The potential health impacts of an office job

The typically sedentary nature of sitting at a desk for up to eight hours a day in the office can lead to numerous potential health risks, both physically and mentally. And for those who drive to and from work, these effects may only be heightened. The most common and widely accepted health effect of an office job is poor posture; however, there are many others, including stress and musculoskeletal strain.

Poor posture

Sitting for prolonged periods in an unsupported position can lead to slouching, rounding of the neck and generally poor posture. Prolonged bad posture can lead to neck and back pain as well as musculoskeletal issues. This can also affect productivity and happiness in the workplace.

Luckily, correcting poor posture is typically an easy and inexpensive thing to fix by simply investing in the correct, supportive setup for your workstation. For maximum support throughout the workday, consider picking up an ergonomic office chair. These chairs are designed with comfort and correct spinal alignment at their forefront.

Features of an ergonomic chair

There are a number of features that make ergonomic chairs supportive for all-day seating. These include contoured neck and backrests, armrests, sloping seat fronts and tilt and swivel capabilities. Contoured backrests support the spine and encourage a correct seated position with a healthy posture. This reduces the risk of back pain and associated health concerns in the long run. Neck rests support the head and neck and reduce the need to lean forward for a comfortable seated position. 

Meanwhile, armrests further aid a healthy posture, allowing you to rest your arms comfortably and sit up straight. Many ergonomic chairs feature height-adjustable armrests for maximum customisation to your individual height requirements and the position of your desk or table. Additionally, sloping seat fronts, or waterfall seats, slope downwards slightly to reduce pressure on the thighs. This improves blood flow to the legs, increases comfort and reduces the risk of deep vein thrombosis in the future. Tilt and swivel functions allow you to adjust the position and angle of your chair to support you in a number of different positions. They also encourage micro-movements which improve circulation to the legs and feet.

Expert advice: Invest in a supportive and adjustable ergonomic chair and ensure it is set up to support your individual body. This will vastly improve your comfort and reduce the risk of neck and back-related health concerns.

Sit-and-stand desks

It is also important that your desk is set up in a way that reduces slouching and straining. One way to do this is to have your computer at eye level so you don’t have to look down at it and keep your neck bent for long periods of time. Sit and stand desks are a fantastic way to overcome this issue as they allow you to fully customise your desk height to your preferences. Should you feel tired or restless during the day, sit-and-stand desks allow you to work from a standing position. Some people choose to combine these office desks with a walking pad to increase their step count while at work.

Expert advice: Comfortable and supportive ergonomic furniture has a direct impact on your wellbeing, enabling you to stay focused and engaged with your tasks. This enhanced comfort not only contributes to increased productivity but also fosters a positive working environment and ultimately leads to improved job satisfaction. 

Musculoskeletal issues

If your typical workday involves repetitive movements such as typing on a computer and using a mouse all day, it’s important to consider how this may impact your musculoskeletal health. Over time, these repetitive movements strain the muscles and could lead to carpal tunnel syndrome, which requires surgery to correct. As well as having an ergonomic seat and desk, it is important to have a supportive computer setup to maximise comfort during the work day. 

Expert advice: Ergonomic accessories, such as ergonomic keyboards and mice, are designed to reduce strain on the hands and wrists. These tools are shaped to accommodate the natural position of the hands and fingers, minimising the risk of musculoskeletal issues.

Eye strain

Staring at a computer screen all day can cause significant strain on the eyes, leading to headaches and dry eyes. This may be an indication that you require glasses, so if you are experiencing frequent headaches and eye strain at work, we recommend booking an appointment with your optician. 

If you do need glasses, picking a lens with a blue light filter is a great choice for office workers as it reduces the amount of blue light that is emitted from digital screens. In turn, this vastly reduces eye strain and can be beneficial for those who experience headaches or migraines. 

Within the office, eye strain can be minimised by ensuring that the space is well-lit. Sitting in dim lighting does not help strain and could lead to overall poor eye health.

Ergonomic furniture from Office Furniture Online

Here at Office Furniture Online, we understand the impact having the correct working setup can have on your health and productivity. That’s why we stock a whole range of ergonomic office furniture that supports your body throughout the workday. Find your perfect office chair within our extensive selection and adjust it to suit your individual needs for maximum postural benefits. You can also pick up ergonomic office accessories to minimise the risk of musculoskeletal issues further down the line.

We hope you found this blog useful and informative and have found some ways to improve your health in your office job.