The Hidden Costs of a Desk Job: Health, Happiness, and the Path to a Balanced Life
The Corporate Lifestyle: A Sedentary Cycle
Let’s reflect to the living behavior of an average corporate employee. Starting the day with a healthy or no breakfast, a corporate employee reach office at appointed time. He/ She starts their shift of 8-9 hrs. long by sitting in one chair and staring computer screens. Consuming their energies, harmful radiations, and caffeine at the same time. This average behavior or lifestyle is common among all the employees across the world. After pack up fewer are focused on their physical activities, doing fun things, spending time with family or friends. Most of people went home and go straight to the bed – again staring at their phones.
But what impact does it have on a person’s life? Their relationships and mental health? Let’s breakdown each point and impact of sedentary lifestyle. Approximately over 40% of people globally are salaried class including corporate and non-corporate. As discussed earlier the living behavior of almost half of world’s population, there are serious concerns related to their lifestyle; including mental health, physical health, emotional health, and their contribution towards society.
The Health Toll: Physical and Mental Impacts
First of all, the major risk is to physical health of corporate employee. According to studies, between 25% to 50% of corporate workers experience some level of physical discomfort or health problems linked to their work environment, such as musculoskeletal issues, cardiovascular concerns, and obesity. For instance, physical issues related to sedentary work habits, particularly back and neck pain, are frequently reported, impacting around 40% of corporate employees globally.
Additionally, stress-related physical health issues, often resulting from high demands and limited physical activity, are common, with some studies finding that up to 75% of employees experience related symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, or gastrointestinal problems. Discussing the mental health level; Stress, Depression, Anxiety, and Burnout are common among employees due to sheer performance pressure, toxic environment, short deadlines, low motivation, family responsibilities, meeting society’s expectations, earning good figures. According to American Psychological Association these all factors are contributing to the destruction of human mental health that further leads to the normal life imbalances.
Not only the mental and physical health is affected but also the social lives. Due to long working hours, there is less time left for family and friends. It is hard for people to spend quality time with their families then, which leads to detachment among family, lack of attention toward loved ones, and in some cases marital lives are also affected. A constant dissatisfaction and conflicts starts among family and provider that causes harmful effects on person’s life along with pressure from workplace.
The contribution towards the society is very less among corporate employees. As a part of society, every person has responsibilities toward their society. Many employees are less or not involved in civic duties, volunteering, or community programs. They are more focused toward organizational goals and neglect their societal responsibilities. As of McKinsey research employees experiencing low holistic health (including both physical and mental well-being) are less likely to engage with or contribute positively to their communities.
How Physical Activity Benefits More Than Just the Body
In order to cope with these issues, possible measures must be taken. Maintaining physical fitness is the solution to most of physical and mental issues. Regular exercise, usually not hard-core but a moderate workout for 30-60 min daily can bring positive change in everyone’s life. One must have to dedicate themselves toward betterment. Regular exercise releases endorphin hormones usually known as “good-hormones” to human body that reduce stress, anxiety, and makes mood good. It improves cognitive abilities, focus, develop emotional resilience, and reduces many health risks. Due to poor diet intake, exercising helps in digestion, gastric improvement, and muscles improvement.
Creating a Wellness-Driven Corporate Culture
It is important for companies and offices to provide a healthy working environment, introduce physical activities like physical gaming, gymnastics, and mind nourishing games. Providing an hour or two to employees to participate in healthy activities and have a talking session that can improve stress and anxiety among employees. Moreover, instead of destructive criticism the higher ups should help and improve their employees as a team. Constructive criticism without demoralizing individuals can lead to positive work environment and helps individuals to look toward brighter side instead of lowering their self-esteem.
A healthy environment will not only improve individual’s mental and physical health but also boost their social relationships. A healthy mind brings positive change. Employees must make efforts for their loved ones and engage in healthy activities other than work life. Working as a corporate employee can be tiring but with efforts one can win their lives. Keeping balance between work and social life is achieved through positive mindset.
