Have you achieved your dream career where you get to work from home in the comfort of your pajamas? Only to find that one’s body was not made for such prolonged hours at a desk? Researchers found that freelancers work more than the average person who works at a non-freelance job. Often that means more hours spent behind a desk. Desk work has long been known to have many health drawbacks. And for the hard-working entrepreneur, that means you might be putting yourself at higher health risks.
The good news? With the freelance workforce at 57.3 million, many have blazed the trail before you. And we now know what the common problems are, as well as the counter point solutions to making sure you stay healthy at your desk.
Sore eyes from too much screen time
Want to know one of the first areas of your body to take a hit when putting in too much desk time? Computer vision syndrome occurs when you have overworked your eyes, and they suffer from muscle fatigue. The symptoms of muscle fatigue range from blurry vision to headaches to a strain in your neck. This issue has become a common one with the rise of digital screens and smartphones.
What do experts suggest? Try out these proprietary lenses Felix Gray has created that prevent digital eye strain. Their glasses protect one’s eyes from harmful blue light and cut computer and other digital screen glare.
Poor posture from hours at the desk
The human body wasn’t made to sit on a chair all day. When it does, the shoulders and the back all start shifting toward a slouch. You probably notice this in longtime desk workers. And if you don’t want this to happen to you, make sure to take necessary precautions.
Doctors recommend taking frequent breaks. Your focus and your ability to stay on task is impaired after sitting for too long anyway. When you sit back down after taking a break, you can remind yourself to sit with your shoulders back, and not in a slouching position.
Another way to build better posture habits is through strengthening your core muscles. This group of muscles are in your abdomen, pelvis, and lower-back area. They help to stabilize your movements while also helping you have the strength to keep good posture in place.
Back pain from slouching and slumping
Sitting all day can give us back problems because the body was not made to hold one position for long hours. This full body strain manifests itself most often in lower back pain. Any kind of slump or slouch puts undue pressure on one’s spine.
One of the first steps in combating low back pain is to optimize your work area with an ergonomic work space. Figure out the best positioning that puts the least amount of strain on your spine, your wrists, and your neck. And then refurnish your office accordingly.
If your low back problems are not solved by adjusting your work space, consider getting an appointment with a chiropractor. Your back pain might be caused by something other than desk work. And a doctor will give you a full work up of what could be the problem.
Sitting disease from… well, sitting too much
Heard of a disease that you can get just by sitting too much? Freelancers are especially susceptible. There’s no punching out when the work day is done. Work hours can meld into personal projects – all spent in front of a computer. So what’s the big deal about too much sitting? First, it increases a person’s chance of becoming overweight. Being overweight puts stress and strain on all of one’s body functions, joints, and organs. Are you outside of what is considered healthy weight for you? If yes, then you might want to establish a plan to get back within a safer weight zone.
Second, researchers have found a direct relationship between the risk of death and sitting for extended periods. One expert interviewed by CNN noted that for every 30 minutes spent sitting, one should stand and walk briskly for 5 minutes. This is the ratio that will help to reduce the ill effects of all that desk work.
One’s health is the pillar that makes everything else in one’s life possible. Make adjustments now to your day, your work space, the foods you eat, and how active you are. And the payoff will be a freelancer who can last for the long haul.
Article Submitted By Community Writer
