Work and health in times of pandemic

The coronavirus pandemic has brought new health risks. Many of us are working from home without appropriate conditions: we have limited mobility, do less exercise, and social distancing makes us spend more time alone to solve problems and, consequently, we suffer more stress. These are some of the most common causes of pain, but there are many more. Here we tell you which situations affect your health the most and how you can counteract their effects.

A back injury is one of the first consequences of spending too much time sitting in a bad position. But it is not the only cause. Muscle injuries can also be caused by sudden overloading or repeated load lifting at work.For your well-being it is essential to take care of your position. To do so it is important that you do physical exercise for at least 30 minutes a day and stretch to strengthen the back muscles and strengthen your abdomen. It will also help you to organize your workspace and avoid awkward postures. Also look after your sleep; choose a firm mattress and try not to arch your back.

Another consequence of remote working during the pandemic is pandemic fatigue, defined by the WHO as the demotivation and tiredness that the population feels in the face of the prolonged situation of pandemic and its restrictions. This fatigue, loneliness at work and stress can lead to emotional imbalances. One of them, increasingly widespread, is emotional hunger, also called stress hunger; an eating disorder that causes some people to eat unnecessarily, with the consequent risk of becoming overweight and obese. If you suffer from emotional hunger and want to learn how to control it, keep a diary of what you eat; it will help you become aware of the food you eat between meals (breakfast, snacks, lunch and dinner). Physical activity, a healthy sleep pattern and a balanced diet will also help to avoid compulsive eating which is harmful for your organism.

Both at work and in your personal life, it is essential that you take care of your health. Watch for symptoms and ask for help from health professionals.