As someone who thinks often about wellness and a holistic approach to life, I have been considering the health consequences of working in corporate or industrial America. It is fairly well known that large industrial or commercial complexes, and all the issues involved with working in them, are detrimental to optimal health. There is more exposure to electrical and chemical pollutants, less ability to regulate one’s schedule and control one’s environment, higher stress and performance levels, and often unconventional working hours. Large buildings can have such a different air and surface quality than the outdoors or even homes, that they have led to their own class of illness: “sick building syndrome.”
Decentralizing to a home business or small business is beneficial, then, on many fronts. Not only are small businesses more conducive for family involvement and self-motivation, but they provide a healthier atmosphere as well. Lower stress, lower pollution, and a more peaceful and natural setting are all things which support good health. Homes and small offices can still harbor many toxins, though, and a few ideas for reducing these are listed further below.
Some may say, “Well, small business is good for me and my family, but it doesn’t eliminate industrial environments in the world at large.” True, but what we believe in and seek to practice in our own work should be carried into the realm of what we buy and which businesses we support. We can start to pay attention to encouraging decentralization and healthy work environments in the businesses we patronize. Try to buy from small businesses and local businesses where possible. Try to buy from businesses where the laborers and representatives are happy and believe in the value of their work.
Anyone, whether in a large-commercial or small-business setting, can try to maximize health supportiveness in the settings where they spend great amounts of time. Some ideas include these: 1) Exercise for strengthening the body, including the back and muscles that are likely to have a disproportionate amount of use; 2) Choose supportive shoes if you are often on your feet, or a supportive chair if you are often sitting; 3) Work under adequate lighting and also make sure to be near or outside in natural light for part of each day; 4) Seek to reduce electromagnetic radiation by being intentional and careful about cell phone use, computer use, and proximity of other electrical devices—and use EMF-reducing accessories if possible; 5) Know about and seek to reduce contact with toxic chemicals in your work—from office supplies, to cleaning products, to manufacturing materials (wear proper skin protection and practice good hand-washing); 6) Get plenty of antioxidants or antioxidant supplements in your diet, to fortify yourself against chemical exposure.
Overall, give attention to the health-supportiveness of the work environment where you spend large quantities of time. You spend a great quantity of time working, and you want to weather it well.
