Office Health

Below is an (admittedly cheesy) article I wrote for my office.

Office Health

As professionals who spend over one-third of our week in an office environment, it is extremely important that we are conscious of our health maintenance. Although our bodies naturally are vigorous and healthy, as I believe most people’s are, we need to be aware of our sedentary indoor work environment and how we can stay comfortable.

Experts suggest we pay attention to some basics:

Ergonomics:
What is the human body’s relationship to the physical environment?
F-One Ergonomics, an ergonomics consulting firm, recommends taking some of the following risk factors into consideration when planning your own ergonomically correct office space:
If your neck hurts from propping the phone on one shoulder, try a headset.
If your elbows are projected outward, lower your work surface, lower your chair armrests or move your armrests closer to one another.
If your shoulders are raised and/or tense, try lowering your work surface, keyboard and armrests. If you can still manage to keep both feet on the floor, you might consider raising the height of your chair a little.
If you spend large amounts of time using your mouse, take frequent breaks, alternate the hands you use to control your mouse, and keep your mouse close to your body in order to reduce the risk of RSI.
If you spend long hours in a sitting position, take frequent breaks, and make sure your chair allows for frequent posture change.
If there's a reflected glare on your computer screen, cover or reduce sources of light, shade your screen or move it so that light enters the room from a side angle and not the back of the room. Lower the level of light in your office.
More information about office ergonomics can be found at the following links:

http://office-ergo.com/setting.htm

http://www.healthycomputing.com/


Breaks:
Computer users may experience Dry Eye Syndrome, something that contact-wearers and women in their 30’s are more susceptible to. Lubrication is helpful, but doctors do not advocate for the use of eye drops that ‘take the red out’ as these unnecessarily tighten the eye’s blood vessels. Take eye breaks every 15 minutes for 1-2 minutes and focus on an object at a 20-ft distance. During the break, blink rapidly to refresh the tear film and clear dust from the eye surface.

To relieve tension (body and mind), stretching refreshes us and improves muscle tone.
Practice exercises from these links:

http://www.yogaeverywhere.com/keyboard/index.html

http://www.steelcase.com/na/knowledgedesign.aspx?f=10250&c=10213

http://www.mydailyyoga.com/yoga/rsi.html


Air Quality:
The EPA informs us that 6 out of 10 buildings are "sick" and that indoor air quality is the United States' number one environmental health problem. Use a negative ion purifier in your office and/or keep a window open to help with air circulation.
Live plants clean air pollutants and add oxygen and humidity to our workspace. Plus, plants are aesthetically pleasing and bring good mojo to a room!

Lighting:
The more natural lighting the better; but avoid a glare on your computer screen. If you don’t have that gorgeous corner office, see if you can replace the florescent tubes in your workspace with full spectrum lighting. Full spectrum lighting emits a natural, balanced spectrum of light that eases eye fatigue, improves your mood, slows aging of the retina and reduces glare.

Colors:
Color therapy’s affects are scientifically documented and widely used by industries as varied as merchandising to home decorating. Come see the EdgeLink office to see the colors chosen for our stimulating and productive space!

Healthy Eating:
Although sugary snacks are tempting, those empty calories only give you a temporary energy boost before the inevitable crash which leaves you feeling depleted and less able to do your job. Instead, use the company refrigerator to store fresh fruits and vegetables to keep you going. Grapes are sweet and easy to eat, and carrots pack a crunch that keeps you going! Experts also recommend enjoying some protein (cheese or nuts) and carbs in the day. However a very carbohydrate-laden, heavy lunch often results in a slower afternoon. I give my coworkers permission to ‘nudge’ me on those days!

Experts suggest eight glasses of water each day for optimal health, and herbal teas(rather than coffee) are a great way to get that in. Remember that caffeine actually depletes the vitamins and water in your body.

A Supportive Office Environment:
Aware of these helpful ideals, make a deal with your coworkers to live health-fully, creatively, and productively!