With gas prices skyrocketing and commutes getting longer, the number of people working from home has increased. While it is the home, there are just as many dangers from the working environment as there is in the office environment.
Because people who work from home tend to work longer hours (because the line between work and home is often blurred), you can suffer from eye strain. Staring at a monitor too long can cause dry eyes, red eyes and even blurry eyes. To counteract this issue, take breaks every 30 minutes or so. Look at something else for a little while. Blink.
The monitor screen causes people to blink less. Let the eyes rest for a moment by closing them for a little while.
Back and neck pain can similarly be a dilemma for the home worker. Back pain is usually caused by something as inconspicuous as a maladjusted chair. Ergonomic office chairs are meant to fit the contours of your back and relieve pressure points. Try purchasing one of these. It should help reduce the instances of backaches. Also, get up and walk around every few hours. Stretch out you back. You could even try exercising or doing yoga at your desk.
Neck pain is also a problem that often gets ignored by the home worker. Neck pain can arise when the monitor is not raised to the proper height. A monitor should be at eye level. You shouldn’t have to strain yourself too much to see the objects on the screen. If your neck should stiffen up, try these neck exercises. Slowly turn your head to either side. Or, stretch you neck out by gradually pushing your chin out as far as it will go. Then reverse that motion. Keep your head straight the entire time. Do a set of three every few hours.
The big stressors for everyone are repetitive stress injuries like Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Tendonitis. Numbness in your wrist or elbow could be early signs of this. Try using a keyboard pad to comfortably rest your wrists on. Your wrists should be parallel to the keyboard. Position the keyboard and the mouse so that they are within accessible reach. Reaching too far can also contribute to injuries. Also, do hand exercises if you feel numbness or cramping. Also, try a wrist brace. It will help alleviate any numbness or pain when you type.
The same hazards that affect the office worker can also affect the home-office worker. Simple changes to how you work and your environment can increase your comfort and productivity.