Desk Bound: The Hidden Health Costs of Office and Admin Jobs

Here’s a fascinating bit of trivia for you. Did you know that the most common employment type in the US is office and admin based? Seriously, 13 out of 100 people work at a desk. And you know what that means? It means a lack of mobility.

Whether that’s because of an overbearing boss, an intense workload, or dedicated work ethic, many of us stay at our desks far longer than we should and the impact can be incredibly detrimental. Especially if you sit down all day, then sit in your car to commute home and spend the even sitting: the recipe for detrimental sedentary side-effects.

So let’s delve into the intricacies of our professional tasks, the impact of our work setting (whether that’s on site or remote) on our health, and the consequences of neglecting physical activity.

One of the most overlooked aspects of our work environment is the office furniture we use daily. Improper office furniture has significantly impacts our health and wellbeing. Take chairs that lack proper ergonomic support, for example, they can lead to poor posture, resulting in back pain, neck strain, and, in extreme cases, chronic conditions. Similarly, desks that are too high or too low can contribute to wrist and shoulder problems, due to unnatural or irregular angles.

What’s more, the overall design of our workspaces can encourage prolonged periods of sitting, which can lead to increased risk of heart disease, diabetes, and premature death. Not to mention the increase of muscle degeneration, weight gain, and a decreased metabolic rate, affecting our body's ability to regulate sugar, blood pressure, and break down body fat.

Another huge challenge (although one that you may not think about as much) is the intense focus that work often demands can lead us to neglect basic health needs, such as hydration. Ask yourself this, how often has hyperfocus and general work duties consumed so much of your attention that you forgot to drink water throughout the day? I'm assuming the answer is often and a lot. Dehydration is a nightmare, even in its mildest form, and can lead to headaches, fatigue, dry skin, and a plummet in cognitive function - which affects our productivity and mental clarity.

To combat this, we recommend keeping a water bottle at your desk. Not just any water bottle of course, but a hybrid water bottle that serves all your needs – fresh water, shakes, infusions, etc. In fact, having something as simple as a durable, well-built water bottle can help you maintain optimal hydration levels throughout the day. And improve your health, energy levels, and overall performance at work.

And for those of you shrugging and saying “Well, I work remotely, so I’m fine”, remote working brings its own unique set of challenges that parallel those faced in traditional office environments. In fact, the transition from a structured office setting to the autonomy of working from home means some of the regular markers we use are non-existent.

How many times have you seen someone get up from their desk to get a coffee or head to the water cooler? Or even, from your peripheral vision, seeing someone take a sip? These all plant subtle seeds and instructions in your brain that you also need to drink or get up and move around.

And on top of that, the spaces we use for remote work often aren’t checked or approved by HR. Usually they’re makeshift areas in our houses. And while improvised options and setups can work for a while, prolonged use a lead to a host of musculoskeletal issues.