This Causes 90% of all Workplace Injuries (Easily avoided)

Workplace injuries can be a severe concern for employers and employees alike. According to statistics, around 4.6 million workplace injuries occur each year in the United States, leading to lost productivity, increased medical costs, and even fatalities.

What may surprise you is that the most significant cause of these injuries is not slips, trips, or falls, but rather something much more insidious: stress.

Finding Low Stress Jobs (and what happens if you don’t)

Stress is a silent enemy that can wreak havoc on workplaces everywhere.

From lengthy hours to arguing with colleagues, these little things add up and create a dangerous cocktail of tension and built-up frustration. In response to such stressors our bodies release hormones like adrenaline and cortisol, which increase heart rate, blood pressure, and activate a ‘fight-or-flight’ mechanism within us as if we were under attack.

This impairs productivity and takes an emotional toll on our bodies, leading to physical and mental fatigue, decreased focus, and eventually compounding the risk of workplace injuries.

The best way to avoid workplace injuries due to stress is to find a job that suits your individual needs. Low stress jobs are life savers.

The 5 Best Low Stress Jobs, Ranked

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, some of the lowest-stress jobs are as follows:

  • 1. Hair Stylist – A great way to be creative and work with people in an upbeat environment.
  • 2. Audiologist – Help improve the lives of those with hearing impairments.
  • 3. Dietitian/Nutritionist – Help people make healthier lifestyle choices.
  • 4. Mathematician – Solve challenging, theoretical problems.
  • 5. University professor (tenured):  Teach and mentor students in an academic setting.

None of these jobs are easy to come by, but they share a common ethos: a focus on helping others, improving the world, and finding creative solutions to everyday problems.

The more abstract your job is – and doesn’t have a sense of purpose – the more likely it is to be stressful. So if you’re looking for a job that won’t lead to workplace injuries, focus on finding something that allows you to make a positive impact.

 90% of all Workplace Injuries Are Caused by Stress

Prolonged exposure to stress hormones can have serious consequences for our health.

Chronic stress has been linked to a variety of physical and mental health problems, including heart disease, obesity, anxiety, and depression. It can also lead to decreased immune function, making us more susceptible to illness and infection.

So, how does stress lead to workplace injuries? The answer is twofold. First, when we are stressed, we are more likely to make mistakes. We may be more forgetful, distracted, or fatigued, leading to accidents and injuries. Second, stress can affect our physical abilities and coordination. This can increase the risk of slips, trips, and falls, among the most common workplace injuries.

Do This to Reduce Stress at Your Current Job

You can take a few simple steps to reduce stress at your current job.

First, make sure you have proper work-life balance. Take regular breaks, get enough sleep, and make time for yourself.

Second, try meditation. Sam Harris, author of the book Waking Up, suggests “learning to observe your thoughts and emotions without reacting to them.” This can help you stay focused and calm.

Third, find an activity that you enjoy and make time for it every week. This can be anything from yoga or running to playing an instrument or painting. If you aren’t willingly extinguishing stress from your life, it won’t just disappear.

Finally, talk to a therapist if needed. Stress can be overwhelming and hard to manage on your own. A therapist can help provide the tools and support you need to make significant changes in how you cope with stress.

A Final Thought

Stress is a major factor in 90% of all workplace injuries and is why taking simple steps to reduce it can help you stay safe and productive at work.

Find a job that suits your individual needs, make sure you have proper work-life balance, practice meditation, set aside time for activities that you enjoy, and consider talking to a therapist if needed. Doing these things regularly will help keep stress levels low and reduce the risk of workplace injuries.  

So make sure to prioritize self-care, it could save your job and even your life.

How to Avoid the 5 Most Common Office Injuries

How to avoid the 5 most common office injuries

While a day at the office may look safe, hidden risks and injuries often lurk beneath – notably when proper equipment or setup is lacking.

Shockingly enough, research from the CDC found that those in an office environment are 2-2.5 times more likely to suffer injury due to a fall than those who don’t work in offices!

Not only this – long periods of sitting can be damaging for one’s overall health; furthermore, poor posture paired with inadequate  chair and desk setup can result in Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSI).

To keep your workforce healthy and happy (and away from Repetitive Strain Injuries!), make sure you’re aware of these top 5 most common workplace hazards:

1. Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI)

RSI is like the film “Groundhog Day”, but with less romance; it’s the same movement on repeat, day in and day out.

It is an umbrella term that covers a range of injuries caused by overuse, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis and tenosynovitis.

A recent study by Cornell University found that those who use computer keyboards for more than four hours a day have twice the risk of RSI.

How to Avoid?

Set up your workstation ergonomically – adjust the height of your chair, keyboard and monitor to ensure your wrists are straight when typing, and your eyes are level with the top of the screen.

2. Computer Vision Syndrome

The average person stares at a screen for 8-10 hours a day, which can lead to Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS). That’s 70 hours a week, 3640 hours a year and a whopping three years of your life!

CVS is characterized by symptoms such as headaches, blurred vision, dry eyes and neck pain.

Here’s the thing: Blue light isn’t necessarily bad for your eyes – but too much of it can be, especially at night. Blue light during the day is actually beneficial, as it helps to regulate your body’s natural circadian rhythm.

How to Avoid?

Take regular breaks from your computer screen – at least 10 minutes every hour. If you’re having trouble remembering, set yourself a timer! Additionally, you can install blue light filter apps to your screen to minimize its effect.

3. Slips, Trips and Falls

The most common causes of office falls include:

  • Slipping on wet floors
  • Reaching for something while sitting in an unstable chair
  • Tripping over loose carpeting, electrical cords, an open file drawer, or objects in walkways
  • Using a chair instead of a ladder
  • Poor lighting/visibility

Sure, you can handle a fall when you’re 16 – but not so much when you’re 40!

How to Avoid?

Be mindful of your footing – look for spills, clutter, and other obstacles when you’re walking around your office. Keep walkways clear, use a ladder instead of chairs or stools, and make sure your office is properly lit.

4. Back Injuries

Back injuries are usually caused by improper lifting techniques or bad posture.

As shown in an NCBI-published study, inactivity can lead to back pain. The problem worsens when you’re inactive in a poor working position.

How to Avoid?

Investing in ergonomic furniture and equipment such as adjustable chairs, standing desks, and lumbar support can reduce the risk of back pain. If you’re office doesn’t have this, talk to management about getting it.

5. Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSD)

MSDs are any kind of disorder or injury that affects the muscles, tendons, ligaments and nerves. It is caused by repetitive motion or exertion of force.

Common MSDs include sprains, strains, tendinitis, carpal tunnel syndrome and trigger finger.

How to Avoid?

Frequent breaks between tasks can help alleviate the effects of repetitive motion, and stretching before and after a task can also help protect your muscles. Additionally, using the proper body mechanics when lifting heavy items is important – use your legs and core, not your back!

That’s it – if you follow the tips above, you can reduce the risk of injury and make sure that your workdays are pain-free. Stay safe!

Everything You Wanted to Know About Good Nutrition and Were Afraid To Ask

Everything You Wanted to Know About Good Nutrition and Were Afraid To Ask

When it comes to nutrition, having the willpower and determination to make healthier choices can seem like a daunting reality.

“No more late-night desserts,” or “Time to ditch my McGriddle for a McSalad” are some of the decisions that seem easy on paper but are torture at the moment. 

Fortunately, there is good news. We have two options when dealing with such nutritional conundrums: 1) restrictive dieting or 2) forming healthy habits which provide considerably more sustainability in the long run.

Today let’s answer aged-old questions like “is cutting calories bad for you?” and “is it ok to have a cheat meal?” to slice through the dogma and focus on smarter strategies to maintain balanced eating without going crazy!

Is Cutting Calories Bad For You?

Calories are the unit of energy that our body uses to fuel its activities. Whenever we eat something, our body raises its internal temperature to break down the food into energy. Funny enough, calories aren’t determined by weight or size, but by how difficult it is for your body to burn off. Hence the fact that five Oreos is the same amount of calories as a bag of broccoli.

In theory, reducing caloric intake will make us lose weight; however,  cutting too many calories can slow down our metabolism, making it harder for our bodies to burn fat.

Plus, it adds unnecessary mental anguish.

Thus, calories in/calories is a MYTH.

Tasty chocolate cupcakes

A recent study from Harvard shows that individuals following a low-carbohydrate (20% of total calories) diet burn between 209 and 278 more calories per day than those on a high-carbohydrate (60% of total calories) diet. This is clear evidence that a calorie doesn’t equal a calorie.

Does it mean you need to eat no carbs at all?

Heck no!

But you should focus on eating quality foods like green vegetables, lean proteins, and complex carbohydrates and every once in a while give yourself a reward like your favorite dessert to stay motivated!

Are Cheat Days ok?

Yes, it’s ok, even recommended to include cheat meals into your diet.

Cheat meals are not only vital to your mental well-being but they play a key role in boosting metabolism.

The idea is to reward yourself with a cheat meal every once in a while to stay motivated and on track. Your metabolism increases levels of leptins, the “anti-starvation” hormone responsible for sending hunger messages to the brain. Simply put, you’ll feel fuller for days after giving yourself a cheat meal.

Cheat meals also replenish glycogen for increased energy and ramp-up mechanisms for fat-burning.

“I love my cheat days, they have become legendary” – Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson

That said, the key to successful cheat meals is moderation and restraint.

A grilled cheese sandwich with extra bacon on the side while watching the game on Sunday night may sound like the perfect combination; however, too much of a good thing can be detrimental to your overall health goals.

Give yourself rewards, but don’t overdo it!

Superfoods for Weight Loss

“Superfoods” is a buzzword that gets thrown around a lot these days.

But what are superfoods? Generally speaking, they’re nutrient-rich foods that offer additional benefits such as promoting gut health, helping with weight loss, and boosting energy levels.

Here are a few:

  • Kiwis – 42 calories, 2 g of fiber (8%), 64 mg of Vitamin C (That’s 106% of your daily Vitamin C in one fruit)
  • Wild Caught Salmon – 238 calories, 40 g of protein (80% of RDI) and high in Potassium, Vitamin B-6 and Omega-3 fatty acids
  • Mixed Nuts (Almonds, walnuts, pecans, cashews, brazil nuts) – 173 calories and high in many nutrients including Vitamin E (12% of RDI), Magnesium (16% of RDI), Phosphorus (13% of RDI), Copper (23% of RDI), Manganese (26% of RDI), and Selenium (56% of RDI)

Yes, it is a Lifestyle

It may sound like hippie talk, but nutrition truly is a lifestyle.

It’s not about counting calories or sacrificing the foods you love, it’s about finding sustainable solutions to fuel your body.

By committing to healthy habits such as portion control, exercise, and eating nutrient-rich foods you’ll be on the path to success while still enjoying life.

It’s possible, but it requires consistency and determination.

Good luck and don’t forget to have fun along the way!

Happy Eating! 🥑