End of remote work? Do this research before going back to the office

More and more companies decide to return their employees to their offices. Unfortunately, the isolation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic did not have a positive effect on the condition and health of Poles. The lack of daily exercise not only weakened our immunity, but often added a few kilograms and worsened our mental health. What tests are worth doing before returning to work in the office?

Remote work is not conducive to fitness and health

For many of us, remote work has become an everyday reality in the last year. We had to get used to changing our lifestyle and skillfully reconciling home and work responsibilities (often at the same time). As it turns out, long-term work from home is not beneficial for the musculoskeletal system, the work of the cardiovascular system, the immune system and the nervous system.

Working in the office, we have access to large desks, properly selected chairs, and computer monitors are set at the right distance from the eyesight. At home, we often choose positions that are not favorable for the spine. In addition, our laptop usually rests on the dining room table along with a hundred things needed by other household members. This situation prevents the correct positioning of the arms and wrists. Due to inadequate lighting of the room, eyesight also gets tired faster. All of this, plus a lack of exercise, can cause headache, neck pain, shoulder pain, lumbosacral pain, hip strain, and carpal tunnel syndrome.

Remote work is not an ally of a healthy diet. We not only eat much more often, but also more willingly order food with home delivery. Due to the lack of a clear separation between work and household duties, we have less time to prepare balanced meals. Combining this with a lack of physical activity, we get an excellent recipe for obesity, hypertension, digestive problems, and thus a drop in energy and mood. This is the first step in the development of serious chronic diseases, including atherosclerosis and myocardial infarction. As it turns out, we often forget to ventilate rooms, which can cause headaches, lethargy and chronic fatigue.

As reported by the British daily The Independent, 4/10 office workers who switched to remote work experienced a significant deterioration in their mental condition, which made them feel worse. The imbalance between personal and work life increases stress, and high levels of cortisol result in a decrease in resistance to viral, bacterial and fungal infections. This condition is exacerbated in people who are extremely severely affected by media reports related to the coronavirus, including vaccinations and the number of infected. In such cases, symptoms of depression may even appear.

Research worth doing before going back to the office

Before returning to the stationary mode of work, it is worth checking carefully what condition our health is in. The basis is to perform a morphology, lipidogram, glucose level, acute phase protein (CRP), ESR (Biernacki’s reaction) and liver tests. By using uPatient’s services, you can perform the most important tests without leaving your home.

For added convenience and safety, it has become possible to order a home blood test. Ordering a home test means that you do not waste time waiting in long lines, and above all, the risk of infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus is reduced. All you need to do is enter your address, select the type of tests you want to undergo, and then reserve the time and date of blood collection. A specialist will come to our house equipped with professional equipment, and the collection will take place in accordance with strict hygiene rules. The results will be available online, and in case of doubt, it is possible to consult a specialist. It is a very fast, simple and comfortable solution for patients.

Before returning to work, it is a good idea to do a COVID-19 antibody test. uPacjenta.pl offers a number of tests for coronavirus:

1. SARS-CoV-2 serological tests,
2. SARS-CoV-2 screening tests using the Roche method,
3. SARS-CoV-2 genetic testing (airway swab using the Real Time RT-PCR method) – has the global recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO).

Companies may choose to have blood tests or COVID-19 tests performed on-site. This not only saves time, but also reduces stress for employees. In this way, the employer increases the sense of security of the staff, and also contributes to reducing the risk of infection.