Why working from home could be negatively impacting your physical health

Thousands of Australians are still enjoying flexible working arrangements, but is working from home actually good for you?

Looking to lose a few pounds? Well, working from home might not be for you.

Thousands of Australians are continuing to enjoy flexible working arrangements after lockdowns, spending time previously dedicated to commuting with family, exercising, or doing chores.

But developing research has found the trend could messing with our physical health.

Research from La Trobe University has discovered that working from home increases the likelihood of weight gain, musculoskeletal pain, exhaustion and burnout, with regular routines thrown into disarray.

Head of the centre for ergonomics and human factors at La Trobe University, Associate Professor Jodi Oakman, said working from home has disrupted our exercise routines and eating habits.

Mardi Brown, a financial analyst, had trouble with her shoulder and arm while working from home in 2021. Picture: Brenton Edwards

“When you are at home, your incidental exercise, the amount of walking you’re doing, is less … and you’re closer to the pantry,” Assoc. Prof. Oakman said.

“People have also been getting neck and back pain from working from home.”

The original survey was sent out to 1000 Aussies across the country and was followed by a series of focus groups, with data being collected over the past two years.

While our guts and backs might not be thanking us, the associate professor said she is a big fan of a combination of working from home and in the office, suggesting a few days in at the desk each week could make you more motivated at home.

Research from La Trobe University has revealed working from home increases the likelihood of weight gain, musculoskeletal pain, exhaustion and burnout. Picture: Supplied

Following calls for Melburnians to return to working from home, Assoc. Prof. Oakman said messaging from the Victorian government has been “very vague”.

While she said “no one is willing to say all go home or all stay at work” Assoc. Prof. Oakman recognised that “one rule does not work for everyone”.

“Messaging is not clear because it is difficult,” she said.

But the government “has been making it very difficult for organisations and for individuals” she reported.

“They’re hoping that organisations will take the lead.”

If you are following calls to remain working from home five days a week, the senior academic says working out a schedule and putting boundaries between work and home is essential to maintaining healthy routines.

“We’ve absolutely got two years of learning under our belts,” she said.

“People have gotten better at adapting … they have put in place strategies because we recognise what happens when you don’t.”

Originally published as Why working from home could be negatively impacting your physical health