How Do Accountants Mess Up Their Health
Accountants serve an essential role in society as they support companies’ continued business operations. However, this profession comes with a range of health risks. We've already talked about some of the ways that busy season can impact the health of public accountants, but today it's time to focus on the long term health impacts of accounting careers in general and how you can hopefully negate the common negative health effects. Accountants and other finance professionals spend most of their day sitting at a desk, which can lead to physical and mental health issues. Additionally, the pressure of meeting deadlines and long working hours can lead to unhealthy eating habits, which further increases the risk of chronic health problems. In this article, we will examine the three areas of concern regarding the health risks of careers in accounting: sitting all day for work, eating too much or too often, and work deadlines taking priority over healthy activities.
Sitting all day for work:
Sitting at a desk for extended periods is the most common health risk associated with many office positions, but especially accounting jobs. Sitting in the same position for hours without adequate physical activity leads to a sedentary lifestyle. A sedentary lifestyle is linked to several chronic health conditions, such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. According to a study by the World Health Organization (WHO), physical inactivity is the fourth leading risk factor for global mortality, responsible for 6% of deaths worldwide.
Moreover, prolonged sitting can also lead to poor posture, back and neck pain, and muscle fatigue. These physical symptoms can significantly reduce productivity and work quality, leading to lower job satisfaction.
To mitigate these risks, accounting professionals should engage in regular physical activity during the day. This can include taking short breaks to walk around, stretching, or performing low-intensity exercises at their desks. Employers can also encourage a culture of physical activity in the workplace by providing standing desks or organizing walking meetings.
Eating too much or too often:
Another health risk associated with accounting jobs is unhealthy eating habits. The sedentary lifestyle and long working hours can lead to a tendency to snack frequently or consume high-calorie meals. Eating unhealthy foods regularly can lead to weight gain, high blood pressure, and cholesterol levels, which are risk factors for several chronic diseases. Additionally, the stress of deadlines and long working hours can trigger unhealthy eating habits. Stress can increase cravings for high-fat, high-sugar foods, which offer temporary comfort but can lead to long-term health problems. On top of these, public accountants and consultants should also consider how many calories they are eating at firm-sponsored events like happy hours and group dinners. While one day of events and snacking will kill you, it’s very easy to fall into habits of eating and drinking on the company’s dime.
To address these risks, accounting professionals should prioritize a healthy and balanced diet. This can include planning meals and snacks in advance, bringing healthy foods to work, and avoiding vending machines and fast food restaurants. Employers can also provide healthy food options in the workplace, such as a salad bar or fresh fruit, to encourage healthy eating habits among their employees.
Work deadlines taking priority over healthy activities:
The pressure of meeting deadlines is a constant reality in the accounting profession. Long hours, late nights, and weekend work are common, which can lead to work taking priority over healthy activities. This can lead to a lack of sleep, which has been linked to several health problems, including heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Additionally, a lack of sleep can negatively impact cognitive function, memory, and productivity.
To address these risks, accounting professionals should prioritize healthy habits such as sleep, exercise, and socializing outside of work. This can include setting boundaries on work hours, taking time off when needed, and making time for physical activity and social activities.
Employers can also encourage healthy habits by promoting a healthy work-life balance, offering flexible work arrangements such as telecommuting, and encouraging employees to take breaks and time off when needed. Encouraging regular physical activity and offering wellness programs such as yoga or mindfulness training can also help reduce stress and promote a healthy work environment.
In conclusion, accounting professionals face several health risks associated with their jobs. Sitting all day for work, unhealthy eating habits, and work deadlines taking priority over healthy activities are the three main areas of concern. However, by prioritizing healthy habits and promoting a healthy work environment, these risks can be mitigated. Employers can play a significant role in creating a healthy workplace culture that promotes physical activity, healthy eating, and work-life balance. By offering resources and support to employees, businesses can reduce the health risks associated with accounting jobs and improve the overall well-being of their workforce.