Your mug is covered in POO… and 6 other reasons why office life is killing you
From sitting down all day to having sweet treats... it's not the healthiest of environments
ARE you sat back in your office chair right now, taking a five-minute break while sipping on a hot drink?
Well, we’ve got bad news for you – that mug doesn’t only hold tea or coffee, it’s probably absolutely covered in POO.
And before you rush to wash it up, that sponge in the kitchen sink isn’t doing it much good either.
Professor of environmental microbiology at University of Arizona Charles Gerba told Men’s Health that ‘colonies of germs’ live in office mugs and reusable cups.
Apparently, one in five office cups carry fecal bacteria, yes that’s poo to you and me, while 90 per cent are covered in other germs.
While the sponges in the office kitchen are most likely covered in germs too – and if you clean your mug with one, the bacteria could end up living in it for THREE whole days.
So if you want to stop yourself consuming three-day old poo, and your office doesn’t have a dishwasher, you should be taking that mug home with you at the end of the day for a proper scrub.
Here are five OTHER ways office life is making you ill:
1. The late life
Past studies have found that those who work more than 10 hours a day are around 60 per cent more likely to develop heart disease than those who work just seven.
Long hours on the job can also raise your stress levels, and could eventually lead to a fully fledged heart attack.
It also ages your skin – as night workers develop dry skin, acne, under-eye bags and fine lines.
2. This one’s a bummer
Does it ever feel like you’re chained to your desk? Sitting down all day literally flattens your bum, in what’s called office ass effect.
It also increases your risk of obesity, hypertension, lower back and neck pain, poor vital organ function, stroke, heart attack, disk herniation and depression.
3. Flea-board
When was the last time you cleaned your keyboard? Leaving those germs to fester massively increases your risk of getting E Coli and other infections.
While all that repeated typing can cause repetitive strain injury and carpal tunnel syndrome.
4. Treating yourself
A repetitive job can lead to boredom, and sometimes snacking seems inevitable.
But all those sugary, salty and fatty treats you’re scoffing aren’t just affecting your waistline.
They could also wreck your teeth, ruin your skin and even lead to diabetes.
Your liver, heart and cholesterol levels could also be affected. So step away from the treats.
5. The slow killer
Chronic stress can wreck your nervous system, making your body produce unnecessary cortisol.
This hormones affects the immune system, leaving you more susceptible to stress-related illnesses and fluey viruses.
It can also lead to headache, neck ache, ulcers, allergies, and reduced sexual desire – as well as accelerating the aging process.
Another reason to get planning your winter holiday!
6. The most important meal of the day
Did you skip breakfast today?
Leah Cahill, PhD of the Harvard School of Public Health, found that ladies who go straight to lunch have a 20 per cent increased risk of developed type 2 diabetes.
And men who go without a morning meal are more prone to heart disease.
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Millions of Brits are based in offices, and it's not necessarily bad news.
Just makes sure you watch out for bad habits developing, take desk breaks, and try to avoid working yourself into the ground.