Detox Your Desk Space

Apparently, work is bad for you – and not just because it gets in the way of boozy lunches. There are even scare stories that claim your office printer is as dangerous for you as smoking. But Richard Jones of the British Institution of Occupational Safety and Health says, 'Almost all modern printers have ozone filters, so any risk is minimal to none.' So what are the real office health hazards?

BAD AIR DAY
'Air conditioning can cause throat irritation and headaches, but you can counteract the negative effects,' explains Jones.
Detox it: 'Use a fan or open a window,' he says. 'Drink lots of water to offset its dehydrating effects and put a bowl of it on your desk to keep the air around you fresh.'

KEYBOARD CRUMBS
Women's desks can harbour up to four times more germs than their male colleagues'. Ladies, it's time to get cleaning!
Detox it: The people behind Computer Cleaning Week recommend using an air duster to blast crumbs and dirt from between your keyboard keys. 'Then clean them with an antibacterial wipe,' suggests Stewart Anderson of Durable UK. 'Avoid eating at your desk and clean your phone once a day, as it's also a bacteria hot spot.'

TORTURE CHAIR
If you spend hours sitting down, it could spell trouble for your back and shoulders.
Detox it: 'Sitting incorrectly and cradling the phone between your shoulder and neck puts twice as much pressure on your back as standing,' says Tim Hutchful of the British Chiropractic Association. 'Make sure your ears are in line with your shoulders, which should be directly above your hips, and align your knees so they sit below your pelvis to keep your back's natural shape.'

Author: Tracy Ramsden