Unhealthy lifestyles: People forced to work from home during the coronavirus crisis are drinking more alcohol, eating less healthy food and having problems sleeping, study shows
- The Institute of Employment Studies surveyed 500 workers amidst lockdown
- More than half reported feeling new pains in their neck, shoulders and back
- Meanwhile, around half are exercising less and a third are eating less healthily
- Lockdown has closed gyms and people are only allow out to exercise once a day
- Most respondents reported a loss of sleep and more fatigue as a result of worry
People forced to work from home during the coronavirus crisis are drinking more alcohol, eating less healthy food and having problems sleeping, a study has found.
A survey of 500 workers by the Institute of Employment Studies also revealed a significant increase in muscle, bone, ligaments, tendons and nerve complaints.
More than half of those polled reported feeling new aches and pains — especially in the neck, shoulder and back — compared with their normal physical condition.
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People forced to work from home during the coronavirus crisis are drinking more alcohol, eating less healthy food and having problems sleeping, a study has found
The survey also suggested that exercise and diet are both on the wane, with more than half of the workers acknowledging that they are exercising less and a third confessing to eating a more unhealthy diet.
The lockdown implemented to slow the spread of coronavirus has resulted in gyms closing, with people only allowed out to exercise once a day.
Meanwhile, one fifth of respondents admitted to partaking in more alcohol than they would ordinarily be consuming.
Poor sleep and increased risk of exhaustion are also a cause for concern, the Institute of Employment Studies report concluded.
Most respondents reported a loss of sleep due to worry — as well as an increase in the corresponding symptoms of fatigue.
Half said that they are working long and irregular hours and are not happy with their current work-life balance.
One in three said that they frequently feel isolated and more than a fifth are worried about job security.
Poor sleep and increased risk of exhaustion are also a cause for concern, the Institute of Employment Studies report concluded
The survey suggested that exercise and diet are both on the wane, with more than half of the workers acknowledging that they are exercising less and a third confessing to eating a more unhealthy diet. One fifth of respondents admitted to partaking in more alcohol than usual
'These interim findings paint a picture of a new homeworking workforce that faces significant physical and mental well-being challenges,' said Institute of Employment Studies' head of HR research development, Stephen Bevan.
'Employers need to recognise they are still responsible for the well-being of their staff, even when working from home.'
'There are a number of steps they can take to improve employee well-being.'
The full findings of the study were published on the Institute of Employment Studies website.
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