Working in office atmosphere can give you a number of physical and mental illnesses. Sitting for long hours in office and working non-stop on computer can cause eye strain, back problems, muscle cramps and other ailments. Speak Up brings you how people try to maintain good health despite pressures at workplace
On weekends, I generally take short breaks for a family outing
As an investment consultant, over 70% of my time goes into work-related activities including thinking. Every day in the morning, I play badminton to keep myself physically fit and de-stress my mind. During the working hours, lunch break is something I never miss because it acts as a big stress reliever.
On the weekends, I generally take short breaks for a family outing and try to stay away from work. On weekdays you just can’t escape work, so I take a break and go out for a walk. I also pursue my hobby of collecting Indian stamps, which I have been doing since last 27 years. My hobby gives me a chance to look at life from a different perspective. I am a member of Rotary Club (Pune North) where I take part in various activities. Every year, especially two Sundays, I actively take participate in the club’s Polio-Plus activity wherein we go to slum areas in the city and help in the polio campaign for children. This gives me a social connection and keeps me grounded.
—Janak Shah, investment consultant
In office, we take a break together to do yoga exercises for 10 minutes
I work over 9-10 hours every day with just one weekly off. On alternate days, all in our office take a break together to do yoga exercises for 10 minutes. This definitely increases our concentration and also works as a stress buster. The 10-minute stretch exercises calms the mind, which increases our productivity. I never miss my lunch or tea break because more than subsiding hunger, it also gives a psychological break from our day-to-day work. Sitting and working for long hours in office is also a sedentary lifestyle. My work takes most of my time, so every day I go for a morning walk, which charges me to handle work pressures. The morning walk is very refreshing and motivating, which I never miss. Besides, I also have a hobby of collecting coins. One cannot go on working without taking a break as it then becomes very mundane.
—Sanjay Gandhi, CEO
To relax ourselves, we are allowed to take power naps in a common room
People in IT field have immense work pressure, but then we are also allowed to take regular breaks during the work time, which gives us an opportunity to relax our mind and body. Sitting continuously in a chair and concentrating on the computer screen does lead to various ailments like muscle cramps and pain as well as causes strain to our eyes.We are allowed to take power naps for which we have a special common room where we can relax. We have also started a 10-minute stretching exercise workout between office hours. Stretching while sitting and moving your eyes away from the computer screen also helps you relax. I never miss my lunch break because by having your meals at the right time, one can avoid stomach illness like indigestion and acidity.
—Anuradha Shinde, IT professional
Most people in office slouch and sit in their chairs, which causes back pain
Those who work for more than eight hours in office, sitting and with computers, always complain of muscle pains, back problems, joint pains, finger cramps and eye strain.
I would recommend office goers to take a 5-minute break every one-and-half hour, by taking a walk or stretching your limbs. Such regular breaks are very useful in relaxing your body and mind. Doing Bhujang Asana, wherein you stretch backwards, also helps in correcting your back posture.
Even peeping out of the window and looking at the greenery around you has a relaxing and cooling effect on the eyes. Mostly, people in office slouch and sit in their chairs, which is the main reason for back problems. One must always keep the back straight and sit. Especially the lower back must get some support from the chair to avoid spinal cord injuries. Most office goers complain about back pain due to less physical activity and bad sitting habits.
—Girish Kale, relaxation and meditation instructor
Your positive attitude can transform the workplace into a place of worship
We spend one-third of our lives working, whether it is in office or at home, so why not enjoy it? If the workplace makes you ill it means you basically don’t enjoy your work. Osho said that if you work with totality, you will experience deep relaxation while working. Totality transforms your own energy which in turn affects the surroundings. Osho has created a new term: work as meditation. What you do is not important, but how you do it changes everything. If you enjoy your work, your positive attitude can transform the workplace into a place of worship.
Another factor that makes people ill is the dynamics between co-workers. There is constant competition, jealousy and enmity between colleagues that emanates negative vibes. This emotional baggage bogs down people at workplace. Work as if it is meditation. Be more conscious; watch how you use your body and how you breathe. If you feel stressed, breathe out your stress by exhaling. Soon, work itself will generate positive energy for you.
—Amrit Sadhana, management team, Osho International Meditation Resort
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