8 Unexpected Ways That Remote Work Is Affecting Our Health

A Bloomberg report suggests that up to 40.7 million Americans may be working remotely by 2026. Bearing this in mind, professionals in the workforce need to prepare for the possibility that they may hold a remote position in the near future.

While the benefits of remote work are well-known, it is also important to understand the risks of remote work, including the potential health risks.

1. Hip Misalignment

Extended periods sitting at a desk have been associated with significant musculoskeletal discomfort. Although more information is needed, there is also some evidence that suggests that this discomfort can lead to more serious musculoskeletal disorders, such as hip misalignment.

Hip misalignment is the tilting of one’s pelvis, and can cause problems such as limited mobility. You can reduce the chances of suffering from hip discomfort and misalignment by regularly going through a stretching routine, and using an office chair that promotes good posture.

2. Poor Circulation

Sitting for prolonged periods can slow down circulation and cause blood to pool in your legs and feet. This can lead to numbness, tingling, and coldness in the extremities. It may also worsen any existing nerve pain and reduce how effectively your blood can carry oxygen throughout your body.

You can combat this problem by regularly taking short breaks to stand, stretch, or walk. After all, the best posture for office workers, especially remote workers, is the next posture, according to expert ergonomists.

3. Tennis Elbow

Spending a lot of time sitting at a desk and typing can cause “tennis elbow,” or as it’s referred to in a working environment, “computer elbow.”

This is caused as a result of strain in your forearm muscles related to rigid posture of the wrists and constant movement in the hands. Such injuries can be prevented by using an ergonomic keyboard and keeping your wrists relaxed and comfortable.

4. Tension Headaches

Long periods spent staring at your computer screen and straining the muscles in your eyes may ultimately cause tension headaches. It is also possible that staring at a screen for extended periods may negatively impact your sleep, and poor sleep can further worsen headaches.

You can reduce eye strain by adjusting the brightness and contrast of your screen, as well as the font size. This can allow your eyes to do less work.Although there is still a debate on whether or not blue light glasses can help with tension headaches, there are plenty of light sensitivity glasses that may help with staring at computer screens excessively.

5. Dry Eye

Eye strain caused by staring at a computer screen can also cause dry eye. Dry eye can cause serious discomfort and is one of many health conditions that can exacerbate more serious eye problems, such as cataracts. Treatment for dry eye can vary based on your diagnosis, but it can typically be managed with proper care and over-the-counter medications such as eye drops.

For remote workers that travel as they work, it is important to bring a travel bag of eye care items just in case you need dry eye treatment on the road.

In addition, a healthy diet and exercise regimen can also be an effective means of maintaining eye health. However, if your eye problems continue to persist, it may be beneficial to seek out treatment from a medical professional. More significant measures such as corrective eyewear or LASIK surgery may be necessary to address underlying problems.

6. Metabolic Syndrome

Some evidence suggests that sitting for long periods can increase your risk of developing metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is an umbrella term to describe a cluster of conditions associated with cardiovascular diseases, such as high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and high cholesterol.

Some studies suggest that moderate-intensity exercise throughout your workweek can offset the risk of developing metabolic syndrome as a result of your sedentary work lifestyle.

7. Sleeping Disorders

If you don’t maintain a healthy work-life balance in your remote work, it can damage your health. For one, if you don’t find some time to unplug, especially before bed, you may find that it will affect your sleep as well.

Some evidence suggests that using electronic devices before bed can interfere with the quality of your sleep. This is mainly attributed to the blue light that is found within electric devices that suppresses melatonin production. You may avoid this problem by ensuring that you do not work right before you go to bed.

Another common element of remote work that can affect your sleep is irregular hours. Remote work often offers the benefit of flexible work hours, but there may be a downside. Shift work sleep disorder (SWSD) is a sleep disorder that can cause insomnia or fatigue in employees who work nontraditional hours.

Employees who suspect that they may be suffering from SWSD may be able to combat it by prioritizing sleep, improving their sleep hygiene, and creating a calm sleep environment.

8. Depression

In addition to causing sleep problems, an unhealthy work-life balance in the remote world and general social isolation can exacerbate depression symptoms.

While many remote workforces use direct message options and other communication channels to counteract feelings of isolation, it’s important for companies to also remain vigilant in cultivating a healthy, interactive work culture.

In addition, a remote workstyle can encourage unhealthy habits that directly impact depressive symptoms. For example, sedentary behavior and insufficient sleep may significantly exacerbate symptoms of depression. To avoid this, remote workers should maintain healthy habits and stick to a daily routine to avoid falling into these pitfalls.

Maintaining a work-life balance is extremely important for your mental health, and by creating a clear separation between work time and home time, employees may benefit mentally and physically.