HOW TO WORK

Telework has experienced an unexpected surge as a result of the containment imposed by the health crisis. While it has demonstrated its effectiveness and seems to be appreciated by a majority of employees, the sedentary work it induces is not without health risks. Here are some tips for telecommuting to mean health and safety.

One of the main advantages of telecommuting is to limit or even destroy transport times. One of its main annoyances is to encourage sedentary work and lack of physical effort during the day.

The dangers of sedentary work

Prolonged sedentary behaviour can have many deleterious health effects: increased cardiovascular risk (high blood pressure, heart failure), metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes, risk of obesity, and even risk of mental health impairment.

Of course, these risks will arise above all over time and a few days working from home will not endanger your health. However, if this is not taken care of, the negative effects of too much physical inactivity can have consequences. For example, it is enough to increase the time spent sitting during the day by 15% and on a recurring basis for metabolic disturbances to appear.

For your health, and to ensure that telecommuting remains a source of personal and professional satisfaction, avoid sitting for more than 7 hours a day and more than 30 minutes at a time.

Substitute informal times with sports sessions

In business, meetings, but also moments of informal exchanges between two doors, or the simple act of going to lunch, are all opportunities to move around. These moments no longer exist in telework, especially since teleconference meetings do not require any travel. It is therefore essential to take advantage of this time saved on a daily basis to do some sports.

Thirty minutes of daily sports activity is enough to lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol and fat mass, and boost the immune system. And what’s more, it’s good for morale! This is how you will take full advantage of the autonomy allowed by telework.

Keep regular work schedules

Beware of the hyper-connection trend that telework can generate. The risk is to sit in front of your computer longer than you should. To avoid this, stick to your regular work schedules and encourage other members of your team to do the same.

Avoid snacking

Another threat to teleworkers is snacking! At home, it’s easy to get to the kitchen to get your favorite snack at any time of the day. A trend that social isolation can also reinforce. The risk is then that of double punishment: in addition to reducing travel and thus energy expenditure, you expose yourself to eating irregularly foods sometimes hypercaloric. To avoid this, please more than ever to maintain regular meal schedules and a healthy and balanced diet.

Limit exposure to screens

Telework is only possible through screens. At the end of your work day, avoid exposing yourself to screens again for a few hours. Smartphones, tablets or TVs will make you sit or even lie down. To relax, prefer a sports session, a game with your children, or the preparation of the evening meal, etc. So many alternatives to conclude in style a day of creative and productive work.