Five Simple Ways to Improve the Health of Your Employees

Working at an office often requires intense concentration while one sits at a computer as they talk on the phone or while typing. Unfortunately, activities like holding the phone with your shoulder, getting stressed, and doing repetitive motions on the keyboard can all be hard on the health of your employees and on you.

Share these five tips with your employees to help boost their health and counteract bad physical habits at work.

#1. Try to avoid using the mouse as much as you can. This may sound like a tough task, but there are tools that can help you. There are keyboard shortcuts like using ctrl+P to print instead of clicking over to the printer. You can also often use the arrow keys on your keyboard’s number pad to navigate around the screen.

#2. Reduce stress in the workplace by doing one task at a time. The American Institute of Stress has done a number of studies which show conclusively that job stress is the major source of stress for American adults. While there are many sources of workplace stress, one is constant interruption of work which turns short tasks into long, all-day or all-week challenges. This can be partially solved by doing one task at a time. While multi-tasking may seem faster, giving actions deep, undisturbed attention will make them less stressful, increase work quality, and help the individual complete his or her work faster.

#3. Take breaks. Every workplace has a break policy. Here in Oregon, many employees working 8 hours a day have the right to at least one 30-minute unpaid meal break and two 10-minute paid rest breaks. Even as an employer, you should take advantage of these breaks. Use these breaks wisely by getting up and walking around or stretching.

#4. Try standing or walking while working. Many jobs create an opportunity for at least some mobile work. Perhaps you can walk to the copier, stand up while opening the mail, or take the stairs to the next floor.

#5. Adjust how you sit in your chair. There are many comfortable sitting positions, but the best is the one which supports your back. Back support isn’t just the duty of your chair. It also depends on how you sit. Try sitting with your feet flat on the floor or on a foot rest. Your thighs should be at right angles to your body or sloping slightly down. The idea is to be seated in a way in which your legs and feet help to support your back.

It is important to consider what actions will help you work more efficiently and effectively in the long run. Little things like keeping one’s feet flat on the floor may not seem like a huge step toward health, but in the long run it will help you avoid back problems and have a healthier, happier, workday.

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