We all have to deal with health problems now and then. It can be anything from a simple cold to a more serious issue or even a chronic condition. Sometimes, we can go back to work after a couple of days off. You can even continue to work through some illnesses, especially with the right adjustments. However, if you suffer from poor health often, you might find that it causes problems for your career. This could mean anything from struggling to continue with your work to not producing the best results when you’re working. You don’t have to let health problems get in the way of your career. Here are some of the things you can do to look after yourself and your career.

Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle

The best way to prevent illness ever getting in the way of your work is to try not to get ill. Of course, there are many illnesses you have no control over. Some illnesses just happen and you have to deal with them. However, a healthy lifestyle can help to prevent a range of problems, from back pain to diabetes. Living healthily involves various things, including a healthy diet and regular exercise. You should also pay attention to your mental health, as well as your physical health.

Get Familiar with Your Rights

It’s always a good idea to know about what your rights are when it comes to taking time off work. Everyone is likely to need to take time of work due to illness or injury at some point in their career. Some people can end up needing more time than others, however, which can make you worry for your job. You should be familiar with both what the law says and what your employment contract says. For some, even taking one day off work is a risk, as you won’t get paid. However, many jobs entitle you to a number of sick days. You should get familiar with FMLA too and see if you’re eligible for it.

Consider Health Benefits When Looking for Jobs

When you’re looking for work, you should consider the health benefits on offer from employers. Health insurance, dental cover and eye health cover are the things you might start with. Employers should be interested in keeping their employees healthy with good insurance cover. You might also find that some employers offer other benefits, such as disability insurance. Some benefits and perks might be a bit more fun, such as gym memberships or healthy snacks in the office. Finding a good job with the benefits you want isn’t always easy, but building your career gives you more options.

Take Out Insurance

You don’t have to find an employer who will give you all the protection you need. You can also take steps to protect yourself, in case you’re ever ill. Health insurance or disability insurance can help you out if you’re unwell or you need to take some time off work. Making sure you have adequate health insurance isn’t just useful for when you get really ill. It can also help you to catch problems before they develop into something more serious. It can help you take care of everyday health issues and keep your health on an even keel.

Prevent Health Issues in the Office

Working in an office might be safer than other working environments, but it can still cause various health problems. Some of the issues caused by working in an office can stop you doing your best work, and it could mean you take your problems home with you. If you sit in front of a computer all day, the light from the screen can hurt your eyes. This could cause eye strain, headaches and vision problems. Fortunately, there are solutions for blue light protection. Blue light is the harmful light emitted from screens, which can even influence your sleep. Special glasses can protect you from the light. Other office health problems include uncomfortable chairs and spreading germs. You can make some choices to be healthier in the office, but your employer can help you out too.

Book Regular Check-Ups

If you do find that there are health issues affecting your work, from eye-strain to backache, follow up with a check-up. See your eye doctor about any blurred vision, sore eyes or if you’re experiencing headaches as a result of too much screen time. It doesn’t matter if your working on-site or in a lab, as you can still purchase prescription safety glasses alongside normal eyewear. Even the most minor complaint can build-up to longer-term issues, so make sure you book some time off to get yourself checked out. It can also help to get your employer on board if you have a record of a doctor’s appointment or registered problem that could affect your work.

Read Up on Safety and Health Responsibilities

You should know about what responsibilities your employer has when it comes to health and safety. Are they required to provide you with protective clothing or have certain safety procedures in place? Your work shouldn’t cause health problems that prevent you from doing your job properly. Different companies have different legal responsibilities, depending on their size and what they do. You need to know what your employer is expected to do so that you know when they’re not fulfilling their responsibilities. If you have an accident or something causes you illness at work, it could mean your career is disrupted.

Reasonable Adjustments at Work

If you have a disability, some employers are required to make reasonable adjustments to help you do your work. This normally means businesses with at least 15 employees, as well as state and local governments. The definition of a “reasonable adjustment” can vary, bu it could include things like time off, accessible bathroom spaces, or being allowed to bring a service dog to work. However, the keyword is “reasonable” and there could be plenty of ways an employer could argue that some adjustments aren’t reasonable for them to offer.

Avoid Working Yourself Too Hard

Even though you want to go far in your career, you need to avoid working so hard that you make yourself sick. Stress can have an affect on your immune system, making it easier for you to get ill. Additionally, pushing yourself too hard at work can result in burnout, leaving you feeling depressed, unmotivated and exhausted. You need to balance your ambition in your career with other parts of your life. Make sure you make time for friends and family and enjoyable activities outside of work.

If you have career ambitions, don’t let illness get in the way of them. Keep yourself healthy at home and at work if you want to keep building your career.