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Believe it or not, workspace stress is real.
I had my second tryst with a slipped disc injury in 2011 when a BPO van hit my car. The rear end of my vehicle required denting and painting. But the real damage was the resulting jolt to my back, a slipped disc and many painfully frustrating weeks recuperating.
At the time, the good orthopedic surgeon told me to take comfort from the fact that considering my age group, my back was doing well otherwise.
It appears that back problems, herniated discs and posture problems are increasing among the 21-35 year age group due to the workplace environment.
I thought he was being kind but recently, my neighbor’s 21-year-old daughter who has just joined the workforce is down with a back problem and complete bed rest. Her mother tells me the workplace environment is stressful and her recent ailment a direct result of sitting at her desk the whole day.
We may not be able to control everything in our workplace environment, but we DO have control over our workspace environment.
That control can help in keeping off some of the stress and maintaining good health. So here is a quiz that I use in my Stress Management Coaching.
Look carefully at the 8 questions on the slide and respond with a Yes or a No.
If you feel it is a Maybe/Sometimes, just treat it as a No. Give yourself 1 point for each Yes and 0 for each No or a feeling Maybe/Sometimes and then tally your score.
There are no right or wrong answers just facts so be honest and help yourself to you!
Workspace Stress Quiz
Workspace Stress Quiz Scoring
8 Yes – Excellent, you don’t need to read further but can help others by sharing this post
7 Yes 1 No – Well done. Check below to see what you need to do to get 8 Yes and share the post.
6 or less Yes – You need to start taking stock of your workspace. Check the tips below.
8 No – PLEASE stop in your tracks and take serious control of your workspace before your stress levels increase and health deteriorates.
6 really Simple Solutions that reduce Workspace Stress
1. & 2. Fatigue sets in when we are in the same position throughout the day. Alternate your tasks during the day so that your body does not get stressed out. If you have a predominantly desk job, make it a point to get up for 5 minutes every hour and get some movement into your schedule. Take a walk to the photocopier or get a glass of water.
Sounds difficult? How about getting up from your seat and just stretching with your arms above your head? Incorporate movement into your day by alternating tasks and avoid fatigue by improving your blood circulation.
3. Adjust your seat first thing in the morning to ensure that there is a better fit for the lower area of your back. Even if you have to go another room for a meeting, adjust your meeting chair to feel comfortable. It will ensure that you are able to focus more on the meeting and less on your discomfort. Consider investing in a good lumbar pillow.
4. The area under your desk is not a storage area and you need to clear out materials, bags, files and papers. Your legs and knees too need space! Your thighs should be able to go completely under the table. Also consider lowering your chair so that your legs do not hang in air.
5. Cradling your phone/mobile between your shoulder and head will give you neck problems. Consider putting on the speaker phone or if that is not possible a phone head set.
6. & 7. Avoid stressing your wrist by making sure that your forearms, wrist and hand form a straight line. If required, adjust your chair and keyboard. Excessive use of the computer with wrong positioning of your hands can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome– which is quite painful.
Increase the life of your keyboard and be kinder to your fingers and hands by typing gently. Attacking the keyboard won’t get the work done faster, so don’t take your anger and stress out on the keyboard!
8. If you use the computer excessively for your work, make sure that you schedule an eye exam every 6 months to make sure that your power has not increased. Remember to tell the eye professional your age and the amount of time spent in front of the computer. Both are factors in determining if you need glasses and if so, the right power. Your reading power might not increase but constant use of the computer may require correction to your lens.
Do you have any techniques of your own to handle workspace stress? Share with me in the comments box below.
PS. Do you know of a friend or colleague who may benefit? Please share this quiz with them. Thanks in advance!
PPS. Long term stress contributes to burnout. Game to take another assessment and find out if you’re heading for a burnout?
Written By: Vatsala Shukla
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Since I had back issues i am very conscious of my posture, and generally move every hour- when I don’t I pay for it .
Have a special cushion and support – highy recommend
Another one besides Reba’s clutter = which is my challenge is stay hydrated I find is important
Would you ever get a stand up desk? I like the idea
Re eyes- my last test showed an improvement and my reading glassed were downsized.
Yes got 8
Congratulations on your score, Suzie,that’s outstanding. I’m impressed with your vision score. You are definitely doing something right. Although I would recommend visiting a good ophthalmologist on an annual basis to make sure that the improved vision isn’t an early sign of cataracts.
Thank you for this timely reminder Vatsala! I look around and realize I need a bit of a desk area makeover and your post got me excited to do it. I answered way too many “no’s” to your quizz and I want to suggest another question – about desktop clutter/visual clutter! Clearing the decks is a bit tedious, but so very worthwhile for the gust of energy it provides!
I’ve written a post about clutter reflecting what’s going on in our lives, Reba, and there is an analysis of office/workspace clutter in it. I think you will find it interesting.
This is invaluable, Vatsala! Not only are we putting our physical being at risk if we don’t adhere to your smart suggestions, we’re also diminishing our ability to be productive and creative if physical ailments get in the way. Hard to focus on getting the project done if all you can think of is ‘I’m so cold!’
Thank you Andrea. Today’s busy lifestyle makes most of us victims to the Red Queen Syndrome and we only stop to take care of ourselves when the body shouts out ‘enough’. Many of us become wiser and learn to love our bodies and health after a preventable illness, many of us don’t. The young lady who was the Muse for the post is now being referred to another specialist and her back problem has aggravated.
I definitely need to get up and move around more – take more breaks. I often get engrossed in what I’m doing and just forget. Thanks for the reminder.
~Debra
Hi Debra. We can all do with more movement. I picked up the tip about getting up and walking every 5 minutes in an hour during my articleship days in London in the then newly released magazine New Woman’s article on reducing hip size! I later learned that it was good for the back too. Hey it works for both.