Headache is the most common symptom reported in the general population, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence tells us. The workplace wellbeing team at Posturite has created this headache prevention infographic to help.
Which actions could you take at work to help prevent headaches?
- Take screen breaks
- Check your posture
- Keep hydrated
- Get your eyes examined
- Check the positioning of your equipment
- Don’t put up with a flickering screen
- Avoid glare on your screen
- Take movement breaks
- Reduce stress
- Take steps to improve mental wellbeing
Learn more about each of these wellbeing at work tips in the infographic below, and download the PDF. These are the good habits we can easily incorporate into our working days as headache prevention tactics.
Always go to your doctor with any concerns about headaches.
What’s the difference between a headache and a migraine?
A migraine is more than just a bad headache; it's a complex neurological disorder. Sufferers of migraines can experience severe throbbing pain, often on one side of the head, and it may be accompanied by other symptoms including nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound. Sometimes there is no headache at all.
Some people get warning signs called an aura that they’re about to have a migraine, such as seeing zigzag lines or flashing lights, or feeling a tingling.
- Migraines usually last between 2 hours and 3 days.
- Workdays lost to migraine in UK per year: 43 million days at a cost of £4bn.
Migraine is too complex a condition to cover in a few short sentences. The Migraine Trust and your doctor can help.
Do many employees raise headaches as an issue during DSE Assessments?
Yes, sadly this is very common. The Posturite DSE Assessors recommend the strategies in the infographic on this page and individualised support.
What’s in the DSE Regulations that could help prevent headaches?
The Health and Safety Executive advise:
- ‘Arranging the desk and screen to avoid glare, or bright reflections.’
- ‘Breaking up long spells of DSE work helps prevent fatigue and eye strain.’
In their Lighting at Work guidance, the Health and Safety Executive also point out that:
‘Poor lighting can affect the health of people at work causing symptoms like eyestrain, migraine and headaches.’
How can employers help staff reduce headaches at work?
Employers can focus on:
- Ergonomics
- Environmental factors
- Stress management
How often should your staff get their eyes examined, to help prevent headaches?
Most people should have their eyes examined at least every 2 years. This is the advice from The College of Optometrists.
Blurry vision? Your optometrist can check if you have astigmatism, a common condition with symptoms of blurred vision, headaches and eye strain. Maybe you need a new prescription of glasses or contact lenses?
Smart employers are now offering staff online eye screening tests – now available from Posturite and powered by Ocushield. These take less than 4 minutes from your desk, to check if you need further help. Poor vision is detrimental to your posture too: if you can't see something, you might lean forward or squint.
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