Tips to Avoid Injuries and Illness at the Office

Now that so many people are returning to the office, it may be a good time for a refresher about how to avoid injuries and illness. While it's impossible to avoid illness and injury 100%, there are a few things you can do to decrease your chances of being hurt or catching an illness while you are doing your job.

Don't Sit For Extended Periods Of Time

Sitting for long periods of time can cause a myriad of problems, including leg cramps at night, an increased risk of chronic health issues and anxiety. There's a simple fix for work-related sedentary habits.

If you have only a few flights of stairs to climb, skip the elevator ride. If the weather is nice, park a bit farther away from work than normal. Instead of emailing a colleague, walk over and talk face-to-face. If possible, work a short walk into your lunch break. Adding just a few minutes of activity several times a day can help you feel better throughout the day.

If You Are Ill, Stay Home

We are often most contagious during the early stages of illness when we may not be "truly sick," but still don't feel well. In a world where working from home is more common and accepted than ever, it may be acceptable to miss a few days of in-person work if it means sparing your colleagues from a contagious illness.

The newest COVID variants spread faster than the original virus, so be sure to observe protocols and be extra careful if you have symptoms.

Manage Your Stress Levels

Going back to the office after becoming accustomed to working from home can cause low-grade anxiety that builds over time and manifests as depression, panic attacks and severe anxiety. Managing stress may involve regular exercise, meditation and mindfulness or taking time off as you get used to being back in the office full-time. Maintaining engagement can help with stress levels and employee retention, too.

For many people, working in an office means an increase in illness and injury. Implementing a few simple boundaries about when and where you work along with taking extra care to protect co-workers if you feel you may be ill goes a long way towards reducing workplace illness and injury, even as we live with an ongoing pandemic. It's more important now than ever to stay safe while you are working in an environment away from home.

Angela Ash is an expert writer, editor and marketer, with a unique voice and expert knowledge. She focuses on topics related to remote work, freelancing, entrepreneurship and more.