Shocking model shows what working from home could do to us in 25 years | London Evening Standard

Shocking model shows what working from home could do to us in 25 yearsSusan, a model of what someone who worked from home for the next 25 years could look like.DirectlyApply

Home workers could be obese, with poor eyesight, bad posture and premature wrinkles in just 25 years, a new model has predicted.

People around the world have got used to working from home during the coronavirus lockdown, including just under half of British workers. Many have said they don't want to go back to their workplace even after lockdown ends.

But the long-term effects of working from home could go further than just a dodgy Internet connection and unproductive Zoom calls.

Susan, a model developed by job search engine DirectlyApply, psychologists and fitness experts, of what someone could look like after 25 years of homeworking, shows that the health impact of staying away from the office could be severe.

Remote working model SusanDirectlyApply

Susan has bad eyesight and inflamed eyes and dark circles from spending too long staring at a screen. She has bad posture and an overhanging belly from a lack of exercise.

She is stressed from not spending enough time talking to other people, and has wrinkles and pasty skin from lack of sunlight. Her hair is also thinning and falling out from a lack of Vitamin D, due to not going out as much.

Susan also suffers from "repetitive typing strain" and "tech neck" from spending too much time hunched over her computer and phone.

There are several things homeworkers can do to prevent themselves looking like Susan, experts have said, including keeping to a routine.

Remote working model SusanDirectlyApply

Dr Rachel M Allan, a psychologist, said: "Sticking to a routine that suits your life, your productivity levels and your job demands is essential to maintaining emotional health when working remotely.

Building good working relationships with colleagues is also important, according to Kate Brierton, another psychologist.

She added: "Going without human contact for long periods of time can lead to higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which raises blood pressure and has harmful effects on physical health."

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Keeping a good work-life balance, making sure to keep up teamwork skills and remembering to exercise are also very important, experts added.