6 Health Mistakes Web Designers Ought to Avoid
Contrary to popular belief, web designing is not at all an easy job. If you are a freelancer, people will consider you way too luck because you are your own boss. However, everything has its advantages and disadvantages. Due to the job responsibilities, web designers have to spend long hours in front of their desktop. This kind of work routine can be very harmful for any web designer’s health, if they do not take care of their health routine. Job requirements of a web designer are very difficult and this may lead designers to an unhealthy work routine. Always remember that you will be able to work properly if you have a healthy mind and a healthy body.
As a web designer, you should make sure that live a healthy lifestyle in order to balance your not-so-healthy work routine. Today, in this article we will be discussing the major health mistakes web designers should avoid in order to stay healthy, fit and creative. However, to begin with, a healthy mind should be considered as a foundation of achieving a healthy body.
Encompass a Healthy Mind
Spending too much time at your work place will kill the happy man in you. Sooner or later, you will start hating the job you once loved. Spending irregular hours in front of that dull machine will turn you into a dull man as well. This exhaustion will lead to a frustrated mind, which eventually leads to an unhealthy body resulting into a dislike for yourself, in no time. Also, spending too much time on a computer and getting no exercise will exalt you with various muscular and joint pains. Along with all this, you will start gaining weight and it will appear to you as if your life is over. Sounds horrible right? The reason behind all this is an unhealthy mindset.
You need to start taking your health seriously and once you change your mindset towards health, you will enjoy life and work as well. Encompassing a healthy mind will lead you to a healthy lifestyle.
Let us now take a look at some of the major health mistakes made by web designers.
1. Planning but not Executing
I am sure that all web designers will relate to all these problems because all of them have suffered these problems sooner or later in their career. There are no two-thoughts about the fact that designers have an unhealthy lifestyle and they are going nowhere by just sitting on a chair and working on new web designs.
It is very important for you to realize how important a healthy workout is and only you can realize it when you need it badly. However, realizing is not the only important thing as you will have to bring a change on your own. If you will not do anything after realizing, before you know you will be a victim of depression and this stress will further sulk you. So, start making planning on making changes into your lifestyle as soon as you realize you need a change. Plan and execute; this is the key.
– One Step at a Time
Now, that you have decided to adopt a healthy lifestyle, do not expect it to happen overnight. You can start exercising like anything but it is bound to put you off so take baby steps. Start from little and then increase your workout time.
2. No Relaxation for Body
People who spend hours and hours in front of a system will face a lot of body related issues. They will feel pain in neck, back and off course forearms as they are used the most. Mostly we designers will suffer from tingling or itchiness because of typing, clicking, holding a mouse for long hours.
– Minor changes in Posture
If you want to avoid these minor issues, you need to make some changes in your sitting posture. Now, this does not mean you cannot relax but try not to have a slouchy posture. Give your arms, fingers, wrists some relaxation by stretching them.
3. Not Taking Enough Sleep
Getting a good amount of sleep is very important for a healthy mind and a healthy body. If you are working too much and not sleeping well, you will drain out yourself. Power naps will only help you in working but it will not help you with good results. If you are feeling sleepy, you won’t be able to get half of the work done even after spending hours in front of your computer.
– Fall in love with your Sleep
You must have read this on a lot of places that every human being should sleep for at least 6-8 hours. Whatever is stopping you from getting a good sleep, get rid of it. You will wake up all fresh and healthy if you have slept well last night and you will be able to produce better results at work.
4. Eyesight
A lot of web designers, in fact, almost all them suffer from eyesight issues but very few take this issue seriously. Since they have to focus a lot on minute details on the screen, the vision can get blurry. Eyesight problems can result into various related issues so you need to take care of your eyesight and if you feel any stress while watching monitor, you should get it checked.
– Take Care of your Eyesight
Well, do not take yourself for granted. Every part of your body is important so instead of lingering on with eyesight issues get them checked. Eye examination once a year is must for all office going people. Apart from this, proper lighting and exercising for your eyes is very important.
5. Not taking Body Complaints Seriously
Sitting non-stop in uncomfortable chairs will cause a lot of suffering to your body and the major issue will be related to back pain. 90% of office going people complaint about having a back pain however, not even half of them takes the pain seriously.
– Avoiding
This issue also needs some posture correction. Adjust your chair nicely with your table’s height. If you have major back pain issue, always keep a comfy cushion with you and avoid sitting in a slouchy position.
6. Ignoring Headaches
Computer screens are a major cause of headaches in professionals. Again, headache could be due to various reasons but it will definitely stop you from giving out good results as web designer.
– Do not ignore
If you are having a headache, instead of ignoring, find a reason. It could be due to constant staring at monitor or some stress. So, try to get rid of your stress by finding a distraction. Take a break from work and take some rest. Also, drink lots and lots of water.
Conclusion
Your life should not revolve around your work only. You deserve to have a healthy mind and a healthy body. So take out time from work for yourself and once you feel healthy, you will be amazed at the results you produce at work.
nice article …its very useful and helpful for all designers and developers…thanks :>)
Yes I do agree with every point! Thanks a lot for sharing this precious and informative thoughts & analysis.
Easy to say when you don’t have to sit behind desk for 8 hours straight. Believe me, being a corporate zombie is not so easy as it seems to be.
Best way to avoid serious health damage and too much weight: Just raise from your chair every two hours and take a walk outside. Breath the fresh air and enjoy just being outside. It’s not only good for your health, it also gives you room to think about your design- and/or coding problems with a different approach.
Cheers!
I agree that a healthy mind and body can really bring out the best potential anyone has. It will enhance your creativity and bring you more brilliant ideas. So all the web designers out there; Take care of your health first to get your business right .Nice write up, Thanks.