Posted by Information has never been more accessible. As a result, many of us are far more clued up around the different areas of health, including nutrition, exercise and sleep, to name a few. But health is made up of many more factors, and something that is often overlooked is how our jobs impact our physical health. With more and more jobs becoming desk-bound, it might be time to start having a conversation about the dangers that come with more sedentary careers.
Throughout this article, we will explore the growing concerns around desk jobs and touch on both the physical and mental downsides of jobs that involve little physical movement, but also the rewards that come with more physically demanding careers.
The Downsides of Sedentary Work
Weight Gain
The most obvious issue that comes with a sedentary job is the lack of calories that are burned throughout the day. Consider someone who works a nine-to-five desk job, such as a graphic designer or a data analyst, and then consider how many steps they’ll take throughout the day, not likely to be too many.
Next, consider the issues that come with burning fewer calories. It makes it far harder for your body to be in a calorie deficit, and without a strenuous workout plan, you will likely gain weight and increase body fat percentage. There are many issues that can develop as a result of excessive weight gain, including heart disease, high blood pressure and joint pain.
Mental Health Struggles
It’s important not to just consider the physical impact of sedentary work. Mental health issues can also develop as a result of working a full-time desk job. Firstly, these types of jobs are more likely to see individuals work alone, which can lead to feelings of loneliness and even cause a lack of social skills.
One of the best things for someone who’s struggling mentally is exercise and movement, so it’s clear to see how an inactive job can become a vicious cycle.
Poor Posture and Back Issues
Those who find themselves sitting at a desk for long periods of time will often find themselves slouching. While this can feel more comfortable at the time, slouching may eventually lead to issues with the neck and back.
You may notice your posture starts to deteriorate as a result of sitting for long periods and slouching, which is often accelerated by poor quality seating and not optimising your desk setup for your body.
Muscle Problems
If you’ve ever returned to the gym after a prolonged period of time out, you’ve probably woken up the following day with an extremely aching body. Simply put, not using your muscles regularly will lead them to become weaker and tighter, which can become an issue when working a desk job that doesn’t involve any form of heavy lifting and little movement.
People with weaker muscles are more susceptible to injuries such as muscle strains, sprains and fractures.
Eye Strain
Something that’s becoming an increasingly bigger health consideration is the impact of screen time on our eyes. While screen time is increasing in general, it’s likely to be far higher on average if working a desk job and using a computer.
These people may find themselves suffering from eye strain, but also having trouble sleeping due to the link between sleep and screen time.
The Benefits of Moderately Physical Jobs
Physical Activity Without Overexertion
Most moderately physical jobs keep workers active without the risk of injury. While a simple lift can always lead to strain, most movements will keep your body ticking over safely. You don’t need to get home from work feeling like you’ve been to the gym; moderate movements that cause your body to stretch in some way should suffice.
Consider a job such as a gardener. There may not be any extremely heavy lifting, but a typical day will involve walking, lifting and stretching when using tools such as an electric chainsaw.
Improved Mental Health From Working Outdoors
While not all physical jobs are performed outdoors, there is a greater chance of physical jobs being performed in outdoor environments. Think of industries like construction and agriculture: these roles are far more likely to involve periods of outdoor work.
While you may be wondering what this has to do with health, studies suggest that there is a positive link between spending time outdoors and mental health, such as the positive link between stress and fresh air.
Greater Variety in Environment
Following on from the previous point, physical jobs also tend to offer a greater variety in terms of surroundings and tasks. Again, think of jobs in construction and agriculture compared to a desk job based in an office.
Monotonous jobs are far more likely to lead to boredom and decreased motivation, whereas a varied job keeps the brain engaged more and is likely to be more challenging.
Lower Risk of Obesity
While we’ve discussed how sedentary jobs can lead to obesity, the opposite is also true, and physical jobs will cause workers to burn more calories thanks to increased movement throughout the day.
As mentioned, this should help to your body to stay at a healthy weight, avoiding obesity and the dangers that come with being overweight.
Better Sleep Quality
We’ve also spoken about the link between sleep and sedentary jobs, but we should also consider the positive impact that an active job can have on sleep. Increased physical exertion throughout the day should make it easier to fall into a deep sleep in the evening, while spending less time staring at a screen should also improve the quality of sleep.
Final Thoughts
When you think of a physical job, it’s important not to just consider extremely intense jobs in terms of physical activity. Jobs that see workers simply rack up their steps in a day can offer advantages in terms of health. Also, as outlined throughout the article, don’t just consider physical benefits, as active jobs can also contain mental benefits too. If you do find yourself working a sedentary job, consider what you can do outside of work to fight the adverse effects of an inactive job.