Press release -
Homeworkers move around more and are more relaxed
“To me, the fact that homeworkers were more relaxed was surprising,” says Linda Widar, researcher in remote working and health at University of Gävle.
In a recent study, researchers in Gävle measured movement patterns with activity meters and studied stress/recovery in 23 people by using heart rate monitors and cortisol samples; the researchers then compared results from days when the participants worked remotely to days in the office.
The results show that when working from home, participants moved around more and were more relaxed during the working day compared to days when they worked from their regular workplace. Factors that are known to affect stress, like, for example, children at home or commuting time had no impact here, nor had difference in tasks between the two places. Yet another finding was that men were generally more relaxed than women, regardless of where they worked.
“Above all, the measurements show that homeworkers switch more between sitting and standing; they get up and take more breaks from just sitting. A subsequent interview study also shows that homeworkers claim to have better opportunities for going outdoors and move around than when they are at the office.”
This is a clear advantage, according to the researchers, as prolonged sitting can cause pain and health problems of various kinds.
“At the end of last year, 30 percent worked from home to some extent, and Linda Widar underlines that employees’ tendencies to adopt health-promoting behavior when working remotely are valuable to be aware of for employers who want to offer employees the opportunity to work remotely.
“When working remotely, we both move around more and are more relaxed, and these are conditions which simply promote good health,” Linda Widar says.
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Article
More about the strategic research area Health promotion work at the University of Gävle
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Contact:
Linda Widar, doctoral student in occupational health at University of Gävle
Phone: 072-856 02 72
E-mail: linda.widar@hig.se
Text: Douglas Öhrbom
Photo: TT
Photo Linda Widar: Privat
Topics
- Working life
Education and Research at a Scenic Campus.
The University of Gävle has approximately 17 000 students, more than 50 study programmes and second-cycle programmes, about 1 000 courses in humanities, social and natural sciences and technology.
Research Profiles
Built Environment and Health-promoting Working Life are the general research profiles of the higher education institution. Important parts included are Spatial Planning with a specialisation in Sustainable Built Environment and Musculoskeletal Disorders with the purpose to prevent work-related injuries. In 2010, the higher education institution received permission to carry out third-cycle programmes in the profile area of Built Environment.
The higher education institution has applied for permission to carry out third-cycle programmes in technology, humanities and social sciences.
