Left feeling dizzy and lightheaded

[Clearasmudd]

I work 32 hours in an admin role. It’s pretty full on, working from home and can be all eyes down. Usually by the end of the week I’m left feeling dizzy and a bit lightheaded. I’ve managed to get to today, and feel like shit, more of the same symptoms. What can I do, I need the job?

Honestly, if you are dizzy and lightheaded from working in an admin role for 32 hours, then I would suggest a medical check up. Not being funny - you shouldn't be feeling like that all the time in what is, even "full on" a job without massive demands. I am 67 and worked in a complex and "full on" management role for often 40+ hours a week until recently and cannot recall it ever making me dizzy and lightheaded. Yes, work can be tiring - but what you are describing doesn't sound normal. Are your vitamin D levels low by any chance?

When did you last have your eyes checked?

I would suggest getting your eyes checked, if they have been maybe consider some blue light glasses?

I work 40+ hours from home on screens. I find I get headaches if I don't take breaks, drink plenty of water and eat good food. The temptation is to snack on rubbish as its convenience but this makes me feel awful. I also always go outside for at least 20 mins if the sun is out.

If you don't think any of this is relevant advice then I would recommend a health check as 32 hrs a week shouldn't be making you ill.

Do you take regular screen breaks? I think the recommendation is at least 20 second eye break every 20 mins. (Your work should have health and safety guidance on this)

agree about getting eyes checked

could it be migraines is my other thought

agree with others that 32 hrs shouldn’t be leaving you light headed and dizzy, so if that carries on go see your GP

Do you have time in the evenings to relax or do you have to keep going with dc homework, activities, dinner etc.

I used to regularly feel lightheaded when I had two young dcs, one a toddler. I worked full time in an office, out of the house 8am til 6 pm. I came home, dealt with dcs, dinner, homework. I had the dcs with me the whole time when I was not working and had very little free time to relax. I felt I was always on duty.

This light headed feeling disappeared gradually as dcs became older and I was able to relax if they watched tv etc at the weekends.

First step is a check up with your GP and an eye test. Also review your workspace, is your sceeen, desk and chair at the correct height. Make sure you take regular breaks and not breaks that involve your phone.

Do you get a proper lunch break? Can you go for a walk or even just stand outside for a few minutes? The fresh air is good, plus being able to look further away is good for your eyes.

I would try to:

• Take a brief break each hour - set a timer. Even just 2 minutes to stand up, move around look into the distance. Maybe close your eyes and take some deep breaths.
• Think about your physical setup. Light makes a big difference to me - natural light helps. Also your posture.
• Make sure you are drinking enough

I get this too. Work is busy and I feel like I can't stop. But when I force myself to stop for brief breaks, I am more productive afterwards. It's not always easy though.

Do you eat enough during the day? You shouldn't be feeling like that working 32 hours

Book a doctor's appointment, you shouldn't be feeling like that working in an admin role, especially part time and from home.

Quite rude on barely any info.

Have you had covid recently?

Some quite patronising comments about admin roles. The lack of autonomy and being hammered left right and centre by tasks and demands can be very stressful.

OP make sure you are taking enough breaks and breathing properly. When I was in a similar situation I found I was holding my breath a lot, delaying taking a break to go to the toilet etc.

First things to investigate are eyesight, migraines, dehydration, hunger.

Do you take regular screen breaks?

Get a basic doctor check and eye test.
Start taking regular short screen breaks.

Quite rude on every level. Being regualrly dizzy and lightheaded is not normal, and needs investigating. I notice that apart frominsulting behaviour, you have nothing at all to add that is constructive.

As others had said GP is your first call. 32 hours a week is not even full time. Many people work much longer than that and don't get these symptoms. Not trying to knock you for not working hard enough by the way, just that you write "I can't give up work" makes it sound as if it's an inevitable part of work, and it's not. This happening means something is wrong, whether you were working one hour or 50 hours, this should no be happening.

@EmmaMaria you were rude. You have decided that the OP can't possibly be under any stress as it's an admin role, unlike your 'complex' management role. You had autonomy and presumably some level of respect, which admin staff don't generally get, which can make the role stressful.

You could have given your Vitamin D advice without comparing your role to an admin role in a dismissive way.

32hrs, desk job, wfh should not cause this. I would be looking for an underlying medical condition. Start with eye test and blood work up.

How old are you? I was getting this, thought it was my eyes, shelled out for new glasses but it turned out going on HRT for other reasons got rid of my vertigo type symptoms as well.

Just two months ago. I thought the same so rebooked another for another appointment. It was suggested I use eye drops as eyes looked dry.

@Dunkou Thank you, I agree it was a rude reply from EmmaMaria, totally unnecessary.

Thank you to those with helpful replies. I’ve spoken to my manager at ways of remedying this.

Hi OP, I was the same, went to GP and had some tests, turns out I am very anaemic. Been taking iron tablets and drinking lots more water, went back for repeat tests recently and no longer anaemic. So I would really such having your bloods checked.

It's probably because of intense concentration and screens/ blue light for hours at a time. I feel similarly sometimes, if I am doing a full on admin task on the computer for hours that requires concentration, and I forget to have breaks.

It sounds like you need to maybe talk to your manager/ Occupational Health.

You can get special glasses that filter blue light - I have them and they are great.

Also make sure your monitor settings are right for you - is the text you are looking at big enough, is your screen too bright, is it at the right height, etc. All these things really have a big impact when you're staring at it for a long time.

Obviously make sure you take breaks even if it's just a short break to look away from the screen/ make a cup of tea.