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Meet “Anna”, the remote worker of the future who has anatomical changes brought about by poor posture and diet while working at home.
A UK furniture manufacturer has hired researchers to come up with a 3D model of the remote worker of the future, and it’s not pretty.
Anna (she has a name) was developed by a research team commissioned by Furniture At Work. The team has posted the results on social media and also in a blog on its website.
This is what the Facebook post says: “Meet Anna, the remote worker of the future! With an arched back, claw-like hands, and dark, swollen eyes, she reveals how working from home can affect the body!
Our researchers have created this new 3D model of Anna, who displays physical distortions as a result of constant use of technology, screen exposure and poor posture, as well as highlighting potential mental health issues.”
There is more information on the blog, and there are diagrams pointing out the deformities.
“Regular use of technology leading to poor posture has always been a risk, but with many people working from home choosing to work from the sofa or their beds, this could only get worse,” the company says.
“Not everyone has the space or money for a professional desk setup at home, and this could mean hours spent every day with an arched back and neck strain. Years of working this way could throw your spine off balance and pull your torso in front of your hips, leading to a hunched-back appearance.”
A close look at the hands is especially interesting. The researchers say “text claw” is a non-medical term that describes finger cramping and aching muscles after continuously performing fine motor activities.
“In this case, long hours using a mouse or smartphone while working from home, curling your fingers around into an unnatural position, could cause lead to repetitive strain injuries (RSI) and permanent “text claw” for remote workers of the future.”
The blog says a 2021 study revealed that one in three remote workers in the UK have complaints about eye strain at the end of each day, and the long-term damage you could do to your eyes is reflected in our 3D model.
“Anna has dark, swollen eyes after years of squinting and staring at her laptop or smartphone without adequate natural light.”
The firm does bring in some health experts to comment on the importance of ergonomic furniture, taking regular breaks, and looking into the distance to relieve eye strain. They also recommend not working for long periods while sitting on your bed. And they stress the importance of exercise and maintaining a healthy diet, when it’s all too easy to reach for snacks.
Facebook/Stuff
Working for long periods on your bed is not recommended, as it is difficult to maintain good posture, and can lead to neck and eye strain.
And the blog notes the potential changes are not just physical. “The office isn’t just a place to work, it’s an opportunity to chat and collaborate with your colleagues in person. Missing out on these social interactions could lead to feelings of isolation, anxiety and depression among remote workers, particularly those who live and work alone.”
Joni Ogle, LCSW, CSAT, CEO of The Heights Treatment is quoted: “Without a precise work-life balance, no office hours, or a set location to go back to at the end of each workday, the anxiety of not knowing when to ‘switch off’ can become overwhelming. We can start to feel like we are never truly away from work, which can lead to burnout.”
Just looking at “Anna” is probably enough to make most remote workers sit up and take notice. And maybe even head back into the office.
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