Whether you work in retail or a factory, there are many surprising ways in which your job could be impacting your health. From spending time in hazardous environments to dealing with high levels of stress, workplace-induced health complaints are becoming more and more common each year.
With that in mind, here are some top tips that you can use to take care of your health at work.
Protect your hearing.
Spending a lot of time in noisy environments can have long-term impacts on your hearing. For example, this kind of exposure is often cited as one of the key causes of tinnitus. While there are many different types of tinnitus, this condition, alongside other hearing-related issues, can quickly take their toll on your health and happiness, meaning you must start making an effort to protect your hearing at work now. For example, you should ensure that you wear the appropriate PPE, such as noise-cancelling headphones, whenever you’re in these environments. You should also limit the amount of time you spend in noisy spaces, where possible.
Push for better health benefits.
Some companies provide better health benefits for others, and if you feel as though your company is falling short in the support they offer you, it’s important that you push for change. For example, it’s important to remember that your company needs you more than you need them, meaning you can use this to your advantage. Alternatively, you may want to consider seeking employment elsewhere.
Follow health and safety protocols.
Workplace health and safety protocols for a reason – but despite this, many workplace accidents are caused by disregarding these regulations. As such, one of the most effective ways in which you can take care of your health at work is by familiarizing yourself with your company’s health and safety protocols and ensuring you uphold them. You should also encourage others to do the same, especially if they seem to disregard this guidance as something trivial despite it being potentially life-saving.
Take a break when you need one.
Taking a break when you need one is perhaps one of the easiest and most efficient ways to take care of your health at work. This is because taking a step break from your work (or your desk) allows you to clear your head, which can help you to fight off stress and anxiety. Furthermore, various studies have found that we’re more focused and productive when we take regular, consistent breaks as opposed to working throughout the day without resting.
Leave work at your desk.
While overtime is unavoidable on occasion, it’s important that you also recognize the importance of leaving work at your desk when you clock out for the night. That is, you should not be carrying out work-related tasks during your free time – as this impacts your ability to care for yourself or build a life outside of work. As such, you should be strict with yourself when leaving work for the night. Turn off your work phone, and avoid looking at your emails where possible. Instead, spend this time doing something you enjoy.
