How ergonomic is your work environment?
The Challenge
Think about the work-related task that takes the biggest toll on your body on a day-to-day basis. It may be that using a keyboard and mouse for hours at a time makes your wrist hurt, or sitting in the same chair day in and day out contributes to a backache. If you work in a restaurant or hospital setting, how do you feel after being on your feet all day? Once you've identified the biggest cause of discomfort in your work, research potential changes you could make to lessen the impact. For example, an ergonomic mouse, or shoes with greater cushion.
Why do this?
Even if your job isn't particularly physical, the daily strain of doing the same movements for long periods of time each day can take a toll.
Finding a way to lessen the impact of repetitive motion on your body will pay off in the long-term by reducing the need for more serious interventions, if something like carpel tunnel symptom were to develop.
What’s next?
Ask your supervisor whether there's a budget for whatever item you've identified that will improve your discomfort. In many workplaces, if the cost of the item is reasonable, there is.
