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Why are remote workers suffering from health issues? What are Dr. Andrew Huberman’s suggestions for improving remote work conditions?
Working from home has become more normalized today than ever before, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In an episode of Huberman Lab, Dr. Andrew Huberman provides actionable advice for remote workers to maintain health and well-being.
Read below for Huberman’s health tips for remote workers.
Coping With Sedentary Work Environments
Remote work has become increasingly prevalent in recent years, allowing individuals to work from anywhere with the help of technology. However, this shift towards remote work has brought about its own set of challenges, particularly when it comes to maintaining health and well-being. Sedentary occupations, which involve prolonged periods of sitting and minimal physical activity, have long been a concern due to their negative impact on overall health. Prolonged sitting can lead to various health issues such as musculoskeletal problems, obesity, and cardiovascular diseases. The COVID-19 pandemic further accelerated the adoption of remote work policies as companies prioritized employee safety. As a result, there is a growing need for strategies that address the physical and mental well-being of remote workers.
To mitigate these risks, strategies for coping with sedentary work environments are crucial. This includes incorporating regular exercise and physical activity into daily routines. Huberman’s health recommendations for remote workers include a routine incorporating “zone two cardio” and strength training. In addition, he suggests exercises for flexibility to decrease injury risk from falls, based on insights from health expert Peter Attia. Since physical fitness increases health and a boost in mood, remote workers will see an improvement in their mental well-being.
He also introduced the “soleus pushup,” a novel exercise shown in a University of Texas study to aid in blood sugar management while seated, as a beneficial movement for individuals confined to desks.
The ‘Space Time Bridging’ Morning Routine
Sharing his own ‘space time bridging’ sensory routine, Huberman explaines how it manipulates his perception of time by alternating his focus between internal sensations, immediate surroundings, and distant views. This technique has potential benefits for both productivity and well-being among remote workers by creating a sense of connection with one’s environment despite physical distance.
By training his nervous system through this routine, he enhances his ability to navigate various perceptions of time, aiding his task-switching capabilities. Huberman also notes that our visual perception interacts with temporal perception, highlighting that the brain interprets time differently based on whether we direct our gaze to close-up details or distant horizons.
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