4 Ways Your Job Could Be Damaging Your Health
Though it is something that we all have to do, work is an area of life that can be potentially damaging to our health. And since we spend such a long time at work, it is better to be aware of the risks so you are in a better position to mitigate against them. Obviously, the specific risks involved in each job vary from company to company, so it is worth being fully aware of the impact that your particular job could have on your health and wellbeing. Here are just a few of the common risks associated with working life, as well as a couple of ways of dealing with them.
Stress
Right near the top of the list, stress is something that can negatively affect our physical and mental health including an increased risk of a heart attack, higher blood pressure, anxiety and depression. Too much stress can also affect our sleep patterns, which can go on to having other knock on effects to our health. Sometimes, it can be difficult to reduce stress at work itself but you can take steps to destress when you have time to yourself. Taking your mind off work every day, whether through a hobby or exercise should be something that you aim to do. Meditation and yoga are two activities that have been shown to make all the difference.
Working Environment
As stated at the start, the risk to your health all depends on what sort of working conditions you are exposed to. For example, if you work outside in the sunshine on a regular basis, you are likely to be at an increased risk of developing skin cancer. That is why it is important to always wear sunscreen and stay in the shade whenever possible. Certain indoor environments can also affect your health, for example, exposure to poor quality air or asbestos. You should always check to see what policies your work has to protect the health of employees.
Shift Work
Research is mounting to show that working night time shifts can be detrimental to your health. Just some of the health risks that have been linked to shift work includes cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and obesity. When it comes to many jobs, it can be difficult to reduce the risks of shift work completely, so it will take more of a public push to get the issue talked about and taken seriously by governments.
Sedentary Work
A big proportion of work these days is done from an office, which is a big contributor to the type of sedentary lifestyle that many of us are leading. Sitting at a desk all day has been linked to a higher risk of musculoskeletal disorders, obesity, diabetes, cancer and heart disease to name but a few. Many offices are now fitting mobile desks that allow workers to stand while they work. It has also been recommended that office workers get up to walk around at least once every hour.