Comments on: The Dangers Of Working At Home – Monitor Your Health

By: Satisfyte

Satisfyte — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 17:04:04 +0000

I was just going to comment with saying I WISH I could complain about working from home. I’m easily suffering from several of those things because of my work in an office. Frequent headaches or just overall feelings of malaise from not having any fresh air, staring at the computer for hours, feeling depressed (there’s one to add to the list), thankfully no obesity or diabetes yet, but I think the feeling of soul-lessness and boredom is about equally bad. Sitting in traffic = more opportunity for bad posture = other aches, pains and fatigue.

I feel like if I worked from home, I’d have that window open on the nice days, take frequent breaks to run errands or do whatever, come back feeling refreshed and productive, eat healthier because I wouldn’t feel so pressed to eat during certain time frames or be trying to squeeze every last second of sleep in before I absolutely HAVE to be out the door.

I have been trying to figure out a way to work from home and make writing my full-time thing for over a year now, but feel as though I’m just spinning my tires. The corporate beast has a firm grip around my throat, heart and wallet.

By: Raj Dash

Raj Dash — Thu, 22 Mar 2007 21:50:29 +0000

@AttHack: That’s what I told myself, that I would exercise. Glad to hear that you are managing it.

@Trisha: Good point. I sit very poorly and it cramps my leg constantly. But I’m not in a position to spend $300 on an ergonomic chair. (Though I may have to eventually.)

By: Trisha

Trisha — Thu, 22 Mar 2007 19:30:29 +0000

Another health problem to add is ergonomic problems. I’ve been going to physical therapy off and on for 6 months down due to problems related to sitting (incorrectly presumably) at my computer too long. Of course that could happen away from home too, but I think it is easier when you are at home by yourself and without a company to buy you more ergonomic furniture. I wouldn’t trade it for working at home though!

By: AttHack

AttHack — Thu, 22 Mar 2007 10:10:16 +0000

I wake up at 6:30am, eat some crappy microwavable breakfast, load up my coffee mug, then go sit in traffic for an hour and a half. At work, I sit in front of a computer for 8 to 9 hours, sit in more traffic on my way home, then by 7pm, I’m so exhausted I just want to sit in front of the TV and do nothing until I go to bed at 11pm.

If I were able to work from home, I’d spend more time watching what I eat, and put aside some time for excercise. 2 to 3 hours in traffic totally ZAPS any desire to excercise.

By: Raj Dash

Raj Dash — Thu, 22 Mar 2007 04:26:22 +0000

Great tips, Ahmed. You’re obviously trying to be proactive about your health. Thing about type-two diabetes has nothing to do with your age.

By: Ahmed Bilal

Ahmed Bilal — Wed, 21 Mar 2007 23:47:00 +0000

Short version:

Stay active
Schedule / manage your time
Rest

Long Version:

1. Flu – I’m a bit sick right now, and I can attribute that to a combination of a lack of sleep and a weakened immune system (due to spending a majority of my time indoors). Solution – rest, and get out of the house more often.

2. Obesity – take short breaks (10 minutes) for exercise every hour (yes, every hour).

3. Diabetes – I’m not that old yet

4. DVT – Move around, do plently of stretching.

5. Staying active and resting properly,

6. Fresh air is a must, make sure that your workspace is well-ventilated. If not, get out of the house every 2 hours or so (alternatively, you could go in your balcony, roof or porch to do that 10 mins exercise every hour).

7. Reduce stress by managing time properly, and tire your body out by regular activity. Most cases of insomnia can be easily solved this way.

8. Sing Seriously, if you’re alone all day, singing or practicing your public speaking skills is a perfect antidote.

You could always go meet real people, but I’m guessing that’s tough for some of us