Return

The Impact of Physical Workspace on Wellbeing: Creating a Healthy and Productive Environment

Workspace

The environment we work in — whether it’s in a corporate setting, home office or a rented brick-and-mortar location to support entrepreneurial efforts — can have a significant impact on our overall health, affecting not only our physical wellness, but also our mental and emotional wellbeing.

If minor aches and pains from a workplace that’s not suited for your size or the demands of the job go unaddressed for too long, they can turn into significant discomfort and chronic conditions that damage your overall health and workplace satisfaction. Supporting your body’s needs through ergonomics, the practice of arranging things in your workspace so you can use them safely and efficiently, helps ensure you avoid painful work-related injuries and lessen your fatigue while keeping your energy high. If you’re currently experiencing a work-related injury or issue, consult with your doctor before making significant changes to your environment.

Understanding the Health Impact of Your Work Environment

Workplace conditions that aren’t optimized for your body’s needs can lead to momentary pain or chronic issues, like muscle strain, joint pain, eye issues and high stress, among other irritants that can harm your ability to focus, impair creativity and decrease your overall productivity. Here are some examples of common complaints arising from a workplace that doesn’t support your body’s needs:

 

• Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) – When you work, do you have an ache, a pinch or a pain you never seem to be able to resolve? If so, you’re likely experiencing an MSD caused by the physical demands of your job, such as overexerting yourself, working in an awkward position or without the proper supports your body needs. According to OSHA, work-related MSDs, which commonly affect the muscles, nerves, blood vessels, ligaments and tendons, are among the most frequently reported causes of lost or restricted work time. For small business owners, early indications can include back and spine pain from slouching at your desk, neck and shoulder strain from looking at a screen at an awkward angle and joint and muscle pain due to a lack of movement.
• Repetitive strain injuries (RSIs) – Compared to the broader category of MSDs, repetitive strain injuries are a narrower subset of complaints caused by performing the same, continuous movements or holding static postures over an extended period of time. This can include hand, wrist and arm tasks, such as typing, spending long hours at a computer and packing or assembling products. By overworking these body parts, you can cause painful inflammation or compression of important nerves and tendons, leading to conditions, including carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitis and trigger finger among others.
• Vision problems – In today’s digital-first environment, computers and smart screens are often front-and-center when it comes to meeting the needs of your small business. Accounting, marketing and customer relationship building can all be done from behind a screen; unfortunately, excessive screen use can lead to digital eye strain, also known as computer vision syndrome (CVS). Prolonged use of a digital screen, something to be expected while you’re on the job, causes our eyes to work overtime, leading to discomfort, eyestrain, headaches, blurred vision and dry eyes. If you wear glasses or experience a lot of screen glare, you can also experience neck and shoulder pain due to poor posture and improper viewing distance from the screen.
• Mental health issues – As covered above, a workplace that does not adequately support your body’s needs throughout the day — such as constantly looking down at a tiny laptop screen, slumping to fit into a desk that’s not an adequate size for your height, holding your arms at an awkward angle to type on your keyboard or simply typing too much — can give rise to physical discomfort, fatigue and even chronic pain. It can also harm your mental health, as physical pain can drain your mental fortitude, leading to anxiety, depression, emotional exhaustion and other issues that can damage your satisfaction and performance at work.
   

Steps to Improve Your Workplace Environment Wellbeing

Depending on your career and whether you make your own hours, such as an entrepreneur, the amount of time you spend working at a desk may differ; however, it’s important to ensure any position you’re working in — as well as your overall environment — is optimized to support your body and help ensure your physical wellbeing. Here are some tips to improve your workplace to reduce pain and chronic stress:

 

• Set your workstation to 90-90-90 – Sitting at your desk should be comfortable, but when it’s not optimized for your specific height and role requirements, it can cause harmful aches, pains and strains. The next time you visit your desk, ensure that your elbows, hips and knees are each at approximately a 90-degree angle; that means your wrists and forearms should be in line, your shoulders relaxed and your feet flat on the ground with your knees about level with your hips. Keep your station clear of clutter, both on its surface and beneath it, as obstacles can cause you to sit in an awkward position.
• Be kind to your eyes – When seated or standing in front of a computer or another digital screen, it’s important that it is positioned properly to reduce eye strain and neck discomfort. To do this, place the top of your monitor at or slightly below eye level, approximately at arm’s length away. If you work on a laptop or tablet, try propping it up with a stand, riser or empty box. Strong overhead lighting, such as fluorescents, is also known to contribute to eye strain. To lessen their impact, try using diffuser panels or switching to warm-toned lamps throughout your space.
• Reduce your risk of repetitive strain injuries – Do you struggle with hand and wrist pain after a long day of typing or responding to queries at work? If so, this is a common sign that you’re at risk for developing a keyboard or mouse-related RSI. When you sit at your desk, your elbow should be at or near a 90-degree angle with your wrists in a neutral position on the keyboard, meaning your hands and wrists are in line with your forearms. The letter “B” should be in line with your belly button, indicating that your keyboard is centered properly. Similarly, your hand should be in a straight line with your forearm, without bending, while operating a mouse. Ergonomic keyboards and mice help support your hand, wrist and forearm health by ensuring proper positioning to reduce discomfort and improve performance.
• Stand confidently and without pain – Depending on your role or the type of business you run, you might be required to stand most of the day, as opposed to sitting at a desk. If you’re standing at a counter or raised surface, make sure it’s at elbow height to support your forearm and wrist health. Supportive shoes and an anti-fatigue floor mat can help alleviate the joint pressure that leads to discomfort, pain or muscle strain in your feet, legs, knees and lower back. Pay attention to how your body responds and use a stool or ergonomic seat to rest if needed.
   

Ergonomics is a simple and cost-effective way for independent businesses and entrepreneurs to protect their wellbeing and that of employees. Forcing yourself or an employee to fit a workstation, as opposed to a workstation fitting a specific person, will result in discomfort, then pain as the situation worsens and even harmful chronic conditions if it’s unaddressed for too long. Don’t let these issues disrupt your business, harm workplace performance or even cause you to lose a good employee. Closely examine your workspace today for ways you can implement these easy changes to optimize comfort and achieve greater efficiency.  

The American Independent Business Coalition (AIBC) helps our members by enhancing three key areas of their lives — their careers, personal lives and general health — through the provision of unique member benefits. To explore the health benefits available through your AIBC membership, visit aibcoalition.com. 

Articles in this newsletter are meant to be informative, enlightening and helpful to you. While all information contained herein is meant to be completely factual, it is always subject to change. Articles are not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Benefits may not be available in all membership levels. For more information, or to upgrade your membership, please call 800.387.9027.

Return

---