While remote work has become the norm due to its benefits of increased productivity and flexibility, there are still challenges companies and organizations must address. Among these are cybersecurity concerns, as 65% of the employers offering remote work face internal and external threats that can lead to data and system breaches. Considering restoring data and rebuilding systems can cost businesses over $8,000 annually, it helps to set security guidelines, which include providing company-owned devices, implementing cybersecurity training, and updating insurance coverage to include cyberattacks.
In addition to cybersecurity, another management aspect employers must pay attention to is health and well-being. A systematic review published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health notes that remote work negatively impacts employee health and job satisfaction. Because of the higher number of hours working from home, employees can experience stress-related symptoms and musculoskeletal disorders. Fortunately, remote workers can adopt the following healthy habits to improve their performance and overall wellness.
Wear blue light glasses
Eye strain and dry eyes are among the health issues commonly experienced by remote workers, as they spend prolonged hours doing near-work using digital devices. As these eye problems are attributed to the exposure to blue light emitted by electronics, workers can wear blue light glasses to protect their eyes and preserve visual comfort.
Optical retailer OPSM has various options for blue-light filtering lenses, including the Eye Protect System with added UV protection and Crizal Prevencia, which has advanced selective filtering and other benefits like reduced glare and scratch resistance. Whether or not employees wear prescription glasses, they can add a protective coating against blue light to minimize its adverse health effects.
Stretch and exercise
As previously mentioned, remote workers also struggle with musculoskeletal disorders, which are mainly characterized by pain and discomfort in the muscles, nerves, and joints. Such disorders can be associated with staying in the same position or for long periods, encouraging workers to use their regular screen breaks to stretch and exercise.
The good thing is that there are many desk exercises you can incorporate into your work-from-home routine with little to no fitness equipment. These include chair tricep dips to boost the triceps and chest, lunges to stretch and relieve tension in the hamstrings, and desk push-ups to improve balance, posture, and flexibility.
As a minimum, get up from sitting on a regular basis. Use tools to help do this. For example, the Apple Watch has a reminder every 20 minutes (or other interval you configure) to stand for at least one minute.
Pay attention to ergonomics
Besides having little to no movement for consecutive hours, bad posture can also contribute to or worsen body pain and discomfort. This suggests that remote employees invest in an ergonomic workstation so that they can sit properly and maintain an optimal distance from their screens — ultimately avoiding the strain on body parts like the neck, shoulders, and back.
For example, an ergonomic keyboard like the Logitech Wave Keys is specially designed with a unique and compact layout to make typing more comfortable even on smaller desks at home. Other ergonomic tools include adjustable chairs and desks to allow employees to work in a more relaxed position.
Stay hydrated
Lastly, hydration is key to staying healthy even on particularly long work-from-home shifts. Make it a habit to spend your breaks by getting up from your desk to get a glass of water or refill your trusty tumbler. Staying hydrated also includes reducing your consumption of beverages with high amounts of caffeine and sugar.
Conclusion
By prioritizing these healthy habits, remote workers can continue reaping the benefits of working from home without compromising their performance, productivity, and personal well-being.
You’ll find more written on the topic of remote workers on this blog here.
