New Research Shows Remote And Hybrid Workers Suffering Physical And Mental Health Dilemmas – Forbes

Remote workers, chained to their desks, are suffering psychological as well as physical problems, … [+] new studies show.

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It seems like ages ago when we were averaging 30 minutes in traffic to get to the office, but 16 months into a pandemic, our office is in our home and the average commute is just 16 steps from bed, according to recent research. Conditions such as “Pandemic Posture” and “Quarantine 15” are said to be the result of too much sitting. Although motion is the lotion, remote workers, chained to their desks, suffer physical and psychological dilemmas as a result of becoming desk potatoes.

The ramifications of the extreme lifestyle shift in 2020 through early 2021 resulting from the pandemic are far-reaching, likely to have ripple effects for many years to come. While mental health has been an undisputed health consequence for many, physical health challenges—given the significant decline in mobility for workers across the country—is an issue which may have long term consequences of which we’ve only just scratched the surface.

Physical Health Dilemmas

To explore this topic further, the team at Upright Pose conducted a new survey of 2,000 remote and hybrid workers in the United States to glean insight into how mobility has changed during working hours and how these changes have impacted workers’ physical wellness.

  • 60% of employees admit cutting their mobility over 50% since working remotely.
  • The average remote worker commutes just 16 steps from their bed to their workstation.
  • On a typical remote workday, one in three workers sit in their work chairs the entire day and 63% walk only to go to the bathroom or kitchen. Meanwhile, 24% of remote workers never leave their home.
  • Nearly half of all remote workers estimate they take fewer than 1,000 steps during work hours, despite the 8,000 steps per day recommended by health experts.
  • 50% report an increase in lower back pain, 48% in shoulder pain and 52% in eye strain.
  • 82% of workers under 35 report experiencing one or more physical health issues for the first time during the past year, and 70% went as far as visiting a doctor or specialist to address it.
  • 78% report that they feel concerned about the future health consequences that an increase in sedentary lifestyle could lead to long-term.

Motion Is The Lotion

Most of us know that vigorous physical exercise is the antidote to prolonged sitting, but we don’t seem to really know it. And we think like the late comedian Joan Rivers who teased, “I don’t exercise. If God had wanted me to bend over, He would have put diamonds on the floor.” Now that remote workers don’t walk to coworkers’ offices, conference rooms, common spaces such as break rooms or to and from a parking garage, it’s important to find alternatives. A little exercise goes a long way. Scientists say that just 15 minutes a day can help with stress and prevent heart disease and other physical health problems. High-energy activities such as weight lifting, racquetball, aerobics, laps in a pool, running or dancing are beneficial.

But if a rigorous workout isn’t possible, don’t park it for too long. Just moving around can cut cardiac arrest by 92%. Being on your feet at your desk instead of sitting can help. Simply not sitting gives you the benefits of exercise. Walking, gardening, bicycling, yoga, tai chi or stretching can make a difference. So get moving. Stand, walk, run, dance, stretch or bend. The key to maintaining health isn’t in your office desk chair or La-Z-Boy. It’s in your StairMaster, swim suit or running shoes.

Mental Health Dilemmas

A study by OnePoll on behalf of Volley surveyed 2,000 work-from-home Americans to explore the social and mental health impacts of being away from the workplace after more than a year of remote work.

  • Seven in 10 employees who work from home are feeling more isolated compared to being in the office. 
  • Many workers miss simple things such as in-person meetings (39%), office celebrations (35%) and after-work happy hours (34%). 
  • With the absence of in-person events, 63% felt less engaged with their team, as the average employee felt disconnected by August 2020.
  • Two-thirds said they work directly with someone they wouldn’t be able to pick out of a lineup and recognize by name only. 
  • Three in five find something lacking in the quality of communication with their co-workers, and 77% agree better communication leads to better work culture.

How Leaders Can Address Mental Health Dilemmas

“The two main challenges with remote work are lack of communication and loneliness,” said Josh Little, Founder and CEO of Volley. “We hear those concerns every day. It’s why people go searching for a solution like Volley—to improve communication and increase connection.”

Gita Bhargava, COO at Global Upside lists three steps companies can take to mitigate burnout and mental health concerns: 

1. Mental well-being should be normalized just as much as physical well-being if we want our employees to thrive at work and in their personal lives. Grappling with the pandemic and events of the last two years, it is more important now than ever to create a culture where vulnerability is accepted and it’s okay to talk about feelings and life stressors. This could make the difference between employees feeling supported at work or looking elsewhere where they will be. Companies should allow time off for therapy appointments and mental health days, while ensuring they embrace consistent discussions around mental health throughout the year.

2. So much is lost in the hybrid work environment without physical cues, facial expression, and casual conversation. Although working remote can be a good thing, it’s important for leaders to recognize the importance of finding ways to connect teams in new ways. Regardless of job titles and positions, none of us are immune from having a hard time in today’s climate. Be sure to ask more in-depth questions, along with frequent check-ins on employees’ daily lives, stresses, and overall well-being. Knowing that it is completely normal for everybody to struggle with mental health is key to keeping the doors to communication open.

3. Clear communication and accountability measures are essential when it comes to defining job roles and managing workloads appropriately. It’s also important for managers to understand how long it takes employees to finish tasks so they can set reasonable expectations and avoid micromanaging staff. Don’t forget that managers may need training and guidance on how to discuss both mental health and job expectations with staff. It often isn’t easy for many of us to have these discussions! Be sure to provide training and support from HR so that managers feel supported, and their mental health is looked after as well.

“The data shows that the existing communication tools aren’t cutting it,” concluded Little. “They were built for an old world with different needs. Today’s teams need a new way to communicate that gives them the richness of face-to-face interaction in an asynchronous format. That’s what we’re focused on.”

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