office health — Office Worker Health

Why Is Wellness So Important?

An overview of Irish demographics tells us that the average age of Ireland’s population will increase significantly over the next 20 years (by as much as 85%). It is projected to be the fastest increase in Europe. Add to this the projected upturn of 40% in the incidence of chronic disease between 2007 and 2020 (cancer is now categorised as a chronic disease). This will result in increasing healthcare costs and significant impacts not just on the healthcare systems but also for our health in general.

Workplace Wellness Ireland

Health promotion in the workplace has come a long way in Ireland in recent years. The vast majority of employers that I work with now appreciate the fact that a yoga class and a lunch and learn here and there does not constitute a wellness programme.

The reason why organisations introduce wellness initiatives is slowly changing too. Historically the end goal was simply to save money; to minimise absenteeism rates and to reduce health insurance premiums. Cost benefit is still a factor for many and a properly executed wellness programme WILL deliver long term savings but I don’t believe this is the main driver any more.

5 Techniques to Prevent The Flu

Your body has an innate desire to be well and to function optimally. If you don’t believe me, think about when you accidently scratch yourself or get a cut – your body naturally and automatically starts the healing process.

Your body works 24/7 to always optimize your health. By incorporating simple, easy routines into our daily life you can boost your immune system, which in turn will prevent you from getting common illnesses like a cold or the flu this season.

In this post you will learn 5 easy techniques and strategies you can start applying today to boost your immune system and keep your body healthy, happy and strong.

How Ergonomics Can Help You Thrive at Work

Think about how you feel during your workdays. Maybe you have pain in your neck or back and feel stiff and sore when you stand up from your desk. Perhaps fatigue and irritability set in as you try to focus on projects or meeting discussions.

While there are many factors that influence how we feel during the day, the configuration of your work area – the place where you spend most of your time working, has a major effect on our overall health and well-being.

Take a close look at your work area; the place where you spend the most time working. Now think about how you sit while working. Do your shoulders hunch forward? Is your keyboard so far from you that your arms are extended while typing? Is your chair so low that your low back is rounded over, or so high that your feet are not flat on the floor? Does the lighting seem either too bright or too dim? Do you use a sit-stand desk, but still feel fatigue, aches and stiffness during and after your work days?

Controlling Stress Can Help You Lose Weight

Uncontrolled stress can sabotage any weight loss plan. As a nurse practitioner and health coach, I see many clients who list weight loss as their main wellness goal. Often they tell me they are not losing weight even though they have changed their diet and started working out. I always ask about their stress levels, and most of them will indicate it is “moderate” to “very high.” I usually focus on ways to decrease their stress levels first, then diet and exercise.

Common Office Health Problems and What HR Can Do to Help

For office workers, the danger isn’t lifting heavy objects or working hard in the sun all day, it’s conditions like carpal tunnel and computer vision syndrome. While workers are far less likely to throw a back out or herniate a disk at their desks, they’re still vulnerable to a wide array of health issues and injury risks.

We know that sitting at a desk and staring at a computer screen all day can take its toll, but what can Human Resources do about it? Let’s look at how HR and the management team can take better care of their workers in the office.

Gym of 2020 – Working Out at the Office

If you haven’t heard, “Sitting Disease” is the new smoking and its killing Americans. With the vast majority of hours being racked up in the office, individuals now more than ever, need to find ways to be physically active at their desk. So what’s the latest in fitness technology and products? Here are a few creative options:

Office Furniture that doubles as Gym Equipment

Treadmill desks have been around for a while and now the data is showing how effective they really are.

Breaking Free

I've been struggling with my office job for a while. I can’t remember the last time I enjoyed the work or if I ever did enjoy it for that matter. It doesn't excite me and it doesn't really stimulate me. It can be stressful at times and it can be painfully boring at times. I don’t have any passion for it. I've always heard and read that you should do something you're passionate about and I'm sure what I'm doing is a passion for some people but unfortunately it’s not for me.

13 Races in 2015

Happy new year everyone! For my first article of the New Year I’m chatting with a friend of mine, Glenn Redding. Glenn set himself a serious fitness challenge for 2015 and I hope that reading his story here can inspire others to challenge themselves in 2016. I met Glenn on an overnight bus in India a few years ago. We went on to star in a Bollywood movie together on that same trip (seriously) and as Glenn said when I was chatting to him recently “I’m still kind of a big deal in Bollywood, Brian”. Glenn hasn’t let this superstardom go to his head though and in this article he answers my questions on the fitness challenge he set for himself last year. What challenge can you set yourself for 2016?

Do you think there is a relationship between your health and work?

This week I'm delighted to host another guest post on Office Worker Health. Angela Seeger is currently studying a doctorate in Health Psychology at Deakin University in Australia. Angela reached out to me recently as we both share an interest in employee related health and wellbeing. Angela has kindly shared some really great insights from her ongoing studies and experiences that I know will benefit a lot of people.