Is it advisable to take regular breaks during work?
September 9, 2022 | 30,00 EUR | answered by Lucas Weise
Dear occupational physician,
My name is Jenny Fuchs and I have been working in an office job for some time now, where I predominantly sit at a computer. Lately, I have been experiencing increased back pain and headaches, especially in the afternoon. I feel like my concentration is decreasing and overall I feel less productive.
I am concerned that my symptoms may be caused by the monotonous and long working hours. I wonder if it would be beneficial to take regular breaks during work to promote my health and increase my productivity. Could these breaks help alleviate and prevent my symptoms?
Are there specific exercises or measures that I could do during my breaks to reduce my back and headaches? Should I also consider ergonomic adjustments to my workspace to improve my symptoms in the long term?
I would appreciate your assessment and recommendations on how I can optimize my work habits and workspace to maintain my health.
Thank you in advance for your support.
Kind regards,
Jenny Fuchs
Dear Jenny Fuchs,
Thank you for your message and your trust in my expertise as an occupational physician. I am sorry to hear that you are suffering from back and headaches, and that your performance is affected. These complaints can indeed often be caused by prolonged sitting and monotonous activities at the computer.
It is very important to take regular breaks during work to promote your health and increase your performance. By taking short movement breaks, you can release tension in your back and neck area and improve circulation. Try to take a short break of 5-10 minutes every 45-60 minutes, during which you can stand up, stretch, take a few steps, or perform targeted exercises for your back and neck.
There are specific exercises that you can do during your breaks to reduce your complaints. These include shoulder circles, neck stretches, back stretches, or even simple yoga exercises. These exercises can help to release tension and improve muscle flexibility.
An ergonomic design of your workplace is also very important to improve your complaints in the long term. Make sure that your screen is at eye level, your arms are at a 90-degree angle on the table, and your feet are flat on the floor. An ergonomic sitting position relieves your back and neck and can help prevent complaints.
I recommend that you consistently implement these measures and also inform your supervisor about your complaints. It is important that your workplace is ergonomically designed and that you take regular breaks to maintain your health.
I hope that my recommendations help you alleviate and prevent your complaints. If the complaints persist or worsen, I recommend you consult a doctor for further examinations.
I wish you all the best and a speedy recovery from your complaints.
Sincerely,
Lucas Weise, Occupational Physician.
