Why Your Office is Killing You

Although you might think of it as an overly dramatic declaration, your office job could actually be killing you. You wellbeing is paramount, and the chances are you probably don’t even realise just how your 9 til 5 is affecting your health. To find out more, keep reading.   Too much sitting down It can’t always be helped in an office setting, but sitting down for long periods of time can be detrimental to your health. Even if you think you’re perched comfortably at your workstation, sitting down and remaining inactive can have a huge impact on your wellbeing. It’s now known that excessive sitting can increase the risk of a number of conditions, including obesity and type 2 diabetes, as well as cancer and even early death. It’s also thought to slow down the metabolism, which in turn can affect the body’s ability to control its blood sugar and blood pressure levels and the breakdown of body fat. While you may be required to sit down as part of your job, remaining seated for too long could be doing your health more harm than good.   Fortunately, there are a number of steps you can take to look after your health at work. Whether you take a walk to the kitchen to make a cup of tea or you go for a leisurely stroll at lunch, you should take regular breaks away from your computer. If you need to ask a colleague a question, you could go over to their desk to speak to them rather than send an email or call them. To help you remember to keep your body moving, you could set yourself a reminder to get up every so often to stretch your legs.   For the times you have to be seated, it’s important to have a comfortable, supportive chair to keep your spine and back health in check. Ideally, your seat should be fully adjustable in terms of seat height and tilt so that you can alter it to suit you. Your office chair should be stable and secure, and for extra comfort, you could go for a design with armrests. At Furniture at Work™, we stock a wide range of high-quality office chairs with a whole host of features for you choose from, such as models with contoured lower back areas, weight tension controls and multi-adjustable lumbar functions.   Dirty desks Even if you reckon your desk is as clean as it can possibly be, you might want to think again. The truth is, your work surface is likely to be a breeding ground for all sorts of nasty surprises. In fact, it’s thought that the average desk harbours 400 times more bacteria than a toilet seat. From the surface itself, to your phone headset, to your keyboard and mouse, the harsh reality is that your workspace is probably crawling with germs. Not only is this a disgusting thought in itself, but it also means you’re at a much greater risk of contracting an illness, such a cough, cold, stomach bug or even the flu.   To keep bacteria at bay, it’s important that you maintain a clean and tidy work environment. For example, you should regularly wipe down your desk, as well as all of your equipment. Ideally, you should use an antibacterial wipe to make sure you’re not leaving any germs behind. Also, try to avoid eating food at your desk and aim to keep clutter to a minimum.   Slip and trip hazards Did you know that slips and trips are the most common cause of major injury in workplaces in the UK? Although you might be sat at your desk for the majority of the day, it’s when you’re moving around the office that you’re at risk of seriously hurting yourself. From unruly electrical cables to poorly placed furnishings, your office is probably a lot more dangerous that you realise.   The good news is, there are a few simple yet effective steps you can follow to protect you and your colleagues from injury. Firstly, you should make sure that any trailing wires are neatly stowed away. You could use plastic cable ties to bunch the wires together, or better yet, you could invest in a desk with a cable port feature or an inbuilt wire management system. While computer cables and telephone wires are unavoidable in this type of environment, keeping them out of the way will significantly reduce the risk of you or someone else from taking an unexpected fall.   You should also ensure that all walkways are kept clear of obstacles at all times. If you spot an obstruction, either move it to a safer spot elsewhere or alert a manager to the situation. It’s crucial that any spillages are wiped up immediately too, and make sure that all surfaces are clean and dry to avoid a sudden slip.   Unhealthy food choices It’s no secret how important it is to make healthy food choices. But, when you’re at work, it can be easy to let your diet slip. Especially in an office setting, it can be tempting to fill up on unhealthy snacks throughout the day. Whether it’s a biscuit with your cup of tea or you gorge on junk food at lunchtime, the food you eat can have a huge effect on your health and wellbeing. Not only will it have an impact on your waistline, but it’s likely you’ll have less energy and find it hard to concentrate. Also, you’ll be at a much higher risk of developing a serious or even life-threatening illness, such as diabetes or heart disease, so it’s important to watch what you’re eating when you’re on the clock.   There are a number of things you can do to keep your diet on track while you’re at work. For example, it helps to start the day by whipping up a healthy, nutritious breakfast before you even get to the office. This should curb your hunger until lunchtime, meaning you’re not tempted to give in to a mid-morning snack. However, if you get peckish before noon, there’s no harm in munching on something healthy, such as a piece of fruit or a handful of nuts. As for lunch, why not take your own tasty treats to work? Swapping junk food for a freshly made salad or wrap is a much healthier choice to make.