Top 8 Technologies to Improve Workplace Health

Technology
advancements improve our workplace productivity, but may have unintended
negative consequences on our bodies.
Health hazards of the office are often hidden and surprising, yet once identified
– hi-tech solutions are quickly developed in response. Here are eight
innovative technologies to improve your health in the office.

8. Video Games Relieve Stress

Work
is always stressful, but for some, this stress can be dangerous. One-sixth of
workers report that workplace anger has led to property damage. Another 2 to 3
percent of U.S. workers (about 3 million people) have admitted to pushing,
slapping or hitting someone at work. Twenty-two percent of U.S. workers report
being driven to tears because of workplace stress (Source).

Video
games may help relieve stress and prepare individuals for work. One study
suggests that workplace playfulness improved communication, creativity, problem
solving and team building. Video game play-time should be
kept to 10 – 15 minutes to maximize health benefits. Studies also suggest that particular
video games may also help children concentrate. 

7. Arm Rested Mousepad Improves Posture 

Repetitive
motions like typing and clicking can cause injury or pain and if this becomes
tingling, numbness, itching or even sharp pain – this could be carpal tunnel
syndrome. In addition, leaning forward to reach your mouse and keyboard can
strain your back.

A
mousepad is now available with an armrest, allowing you to
sit back and not lean forward – to help maintain better posture. One source says that this specialized arm-rest mousepad may help prevent Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Thoracic Outlet Syndrome and other
Repetitive Stress Injuries while releasing tension in the neck and upper back.

6. Computer Screen Advancements
for Eyestrain

Computer
Vision Syndrome (a.k.a. computer eyestrain) involves symptoms of burning, dry and
strained eyes, headache, neck ache and blurred vision. It’s caused by overuse
or misuse of computer monitors, bad lighting and other environmental factors. Repeated
physical discomfort due to one or more of these symptoms cuts your productivity
sharply over time.

The
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recommends trying a
different monitor. A wide variety of monitors with distinctive visual
experiences are available to choose from including CRT monitors, flat-screen,
wide screen, high definition, LCD and screens in matte and glossy finishes.

5. Antibacterial Keyboard Defends Against Germs 

Beware:
your desk may be 400 times dirtier than your toilet (Source). Eating at one’s desk is the
leading cause of bacteria because breadcrumbs and other food remnants get in
between keyboard keys, attracting rats and leading to germ exposure.

To
combat germs, use antibacterial wipes to wipe down your work-station daily.
Also, check out this state-of-the-art silicone portable antibacterial keyboard.
The keyboard’s light-weight flexible design makes it easy to carry
anywhere.

4. Track Lifestyle Habits with Fitbit

When busy at work, exercise and sleep can get squeezed – consciously or
subconsciously. Yet lack of exercise and sleep will hurt your daytime
productivity.  To ensure that you are
maintaining healthy lifestyle routines, check out the upcoming Fitbit product, Flex is a wireless activity and sleep wristband coming out in Spring 2013.

3. Touch Screen
Products/Tablets Replacing Desktop Computers

Repetitive typing and
clicking cause Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and other Repetitive Stress Injuries.
Sitting in one place for long periods of time causes back pain.

In some work
setting, touch screen tablets are replacing desktop computers – reducing typing
and increasing flexibilty to move around the work space. Microsoft’s upcoming
Surface Pro perhaps marks the next generation in PC and tablet technology – promising
to be both a touch-screen tablet and a PC running software like Photoshop,
Microsoft Office and iTunes.

2. Smart Pens for
Creativity

Starring
at a blank computer screen can cause writer’s block and stunt creativity. Smart
Pens like Livescribe allow you to write on paper while
your words are being transcribed onto your computer. In addition, Livescribe
pens record audio so whether you can’t make our your handwriting or got sleepy
during an important meeting, you can re-trace over the spot in your notes to
listen to the audio-playback from this exact moment.

Wacome’s Inkling is an
novel tool for artists and designers who like to draw on regular paper – the
Inkling captures a digital likeness of your work while you sketch with its
ballpoint tip on any sketchbook or standard piece of paper.

1. Upright Desks Increase Movement and Reduce Major Health Risks

Hunched over a computer all day?
While putting in solid hours of hard work, you may also be putting your health
at risk. On average, people are sitting for nine or 10 hours a day – at work,
in commute and at home (Source).

Without regular movement, sitting can
lead to back pain, which is a major cause of missed work for adults of all ages
(according to the Georgetown University Center on an Aging Society). Sitting tightens the hip flexors, the muscles than help pull your legs toward
your body (according to the Yoga Journal). Tight hip flexors contribute to back
pain by forcing the pelvis to tilt forward, compressing the back.  

Even scarier, research shows that just one hour or more of sitting causes the enzymes that
burn fat in the body to slow down production by up to 90 percent. Extended
sitting also slows our metabolism of glucose and lowers our levels of good
(HDL) cholesterol in the blood – major risk factors for heart disease and Type
2 diabetes.

In response, standing desks are gaining popularity in some offices, including Wired
Magazine headquarters with executive
editor, Thomas Goetz and other staff members using the desks. A wide variety of styles and price ranges are now available on the market.

Interestingly, standing at work isn’t
actually “new” but rather a return to old ways. In the nineteenth and twentieth
century, office workers such as clerks, accountants and managers, stood while
working. Sitting was considered slacking. In fact, many intellectual leaders
have been known to stand while working – including Leonardo da Vinci, Ben
Franklin, Winston Churchill, Vladimir Nabokov and Philip Roth.

Treadmill
desks take things a step farther. By walking very slowly on the treadmill while
working, you can incorporate physical activity into your busy schedule and
lower your heart rate considerably.

In conclusion, technology may sometimes negatively impact our workplace health, but technology may also be part of the solution.

Post by Julie Flygare, a leading health advocate and writer.