In the quest for professional success, it’s easy to overlook the personal costs of ambitious careers.
To highlight this important – yet often neglected – topic, we’ve compiled some thoughts on The Personal Cost of Your Career, a four-part article series which aims to shed light on the sacrifices career-driven individuals often make in their lives. Whether in the context of health, social life, family commitments or even financial wellbeing, it is crucial to address the issue and put measures in place, so that professionals can begin to prioritise areas that deserve just as much attention as their careers.
With this in mind, we’re here to offer insights and practical advice to help successful individuals create a work-life balance that is built to last. Let’s dive into part two of four: physical health.
The Personal Cost Of Your Career – Part 2 – Physical Health
Depending on the industry in question, the contemporary working day often involves prolonged time spent at a desk, with very little physical activity required throughout the 9 to 5 (and perhaps beyond). This lack of daily movement can have disastrous effects on an individual’s health, as a recent report from the Irish Heart Foundation has revealed.
The study found that the average amount of time Irish people spend sitting down on weekdays was 7.3 hours, which can harm heart health. Unfortunately, such sedentary behaviour in the workplace is showing no signs of slowing down.
Frequent days spent in front of a computer also hurt other areas of physical health – particularly in this era of flexible working, where a couch or even a bed substitutes a desk.
A further study discovered that over one-third of workers in traditionally deskbound jobs were now working on a remote or hybrid basis. With 57% of those surveyed reporting distracting levels of pain due to ergonomic issues, it is clear that a sedentary job paired with improper workstation support is a potentially dangerous combination.
Making strides: How professionals can improve their physical health
With so much at stake, candidates seeking a new and demanding role must take measures into their own hands by prioritising their physical health while at work. Whether this means walking or cycling to work, going for a brief stroll during a lunch break, or spending remote working hours at an appropriate workstation, every little helps.
According to our What Matters Most survey, employers also need to be doing their bit in this context.
Our survey identified a demand for wellness initiatives in the workplace, with candidates emphasising the importance of health-related benefits at work to mitigate these risks, such as gym memberships and fitness programmes.
Aside from wellness initiatives, there are other simple ways that employers can protect and nurture the physical health of their teams during the working day. These include:
1. Encouraging an active workday
Busy work days can often feel overwhelming, with employees sometimes reluctant to stop for breaks in the interest of getting a project over the line. It is therefore important for management teams to monitor the workforce in this regard, stipulating the importance of regular breaks for movement, stretching or walking.
2. Introducing ergonomic solutions
In an environment where professionals rarely venture far from their desks, employers have a responsibility to invest in high-quality office equipment that promotes good posture.
Conclusion
An individual’s career and professional status are undoubtedly a hugely important part of their identity, but the overriding fact remains that health is wealth. Thankfully, it is possible to strike a balance between physical health and professional aspirations.
With effort on both the part of the employer and employee, the physical toll of a sedentary role can be greatly reduced, staving off long-term conditions including obesity, cardiovascular diseases and musculoskeletal disorders.
Read part 3 of our The Personal Cost Of Your Career series here to continue the conversation on balancing ambition with well-being.
