Simple Health Tips for IT Pros
There are many advantages to becoming an IT professional including the fact that you can earn a very high salary, but there are things to be wary of as well. You may not think of a career in IT as having the potential to be hazardous to your health, but there are inherent components of this kind of work that can indeed put you at risk. If you are an IT professional or training to enter this field of work, here are a few health risks you should be aware of as well as a few tips to alleviate the problems.
Don’t Ignore Nutrition
IT pros spend long hours at their computers solving complex problems. They frequently work on their own with little interaction with others. It is easy to lose track of time as well as any sense of schedule under these circumstances. It is important that you don’t forget to take care of your body while your mind is busy solving algorithms.
Start your day with something nutritious like a protein-packed smoothie and don’t get so involved in your project that you forget to break for lunch and dinner. If you consistently snack your way through the day rather than taking in balanced meals, it may help to turn to quality supplements to ensure that you get all the nutrients you need. Trusted companies like USANA are a great place to look. If you like what you see at USANA refer a friend and pass on the gift of good health.
Add Some Movement to Your Day
Recent research has shown that sitting for long periods of time can be very detrimental to your health. Some have gone so far to say that sitting could be as dangerous as smoking. Remaining seated for extended periods can cause problems such as deep vein thrombosis, heart disease and even certain types of cancer. So adding movement to your day is crucial to your well-being.
Ideally, you want to set up a regular fitness regimen that gets you at least 30 minutes of exercise most days. In addition to a regular workout, make sure that you also introduce brief periods of movement throughout your day. Simply getting up and taking a walk around the room once every hour can help. You should definitely consider investing in a standing desk or a variable height desk so that you can continue working while also giving yourself a break from sitting.
Know When To Turn the Screen Off
When your career involves long periods of time staring at the computer screen, you are prone to eye strain. Give your eyes a mini-break several times throughout the day by looking away from the screen and focusing on another object in the room for 30 seconds or so. This gives your eyes the opportunity to readjust, change their focus momentarily and rest for a moment.
Even though a computer screen is your bread and butter, it is important to try to turn the screen off at least one hour prior to bedtime. The blue light emitted from computer screens can throw off our body’s internal clock, fooling it into thinking it is time to be awake and alert just when you need to get some sleep.
Invest In Adaptive Tools
Compensate for the physical stresses of your job with appropriate tools to avoid injuries caused by repetitive stress. A good ergonomic keyboard can save you from developing an issue such as carpal tunnel syndrome, a condition that can be devastating for a computer professional. Spend the time to make certain that your chair, desktop and keyboard tray are set at the optimal heights for functionality and comfort.
IT professionals are usually very passionate about their jobs, but you must be careful not to neglect your self-care. Find ways to counteract the sedentary qualities of your work, and take measures to avoid eye strain and repetitive injuries.
