In the past, when you told people you worked from home, it tended to polarise reactions. Some people would look at you wistfully and say that sounded like "the dream". What could be better than eliminating your daily commute, taking naps whenever you wanted and joining conference calls in your pyjamas?
Others would say, "Oh! I could never concentrate at home." They craved company and structure and maybe didn't trust their willpower against the seductions of daytime TV.
Well, in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, the usual considerations didn't apply. The global pandemic resulted in many workplaces implementing work-from-home policies and even as we ease our way out of lockdown, it is likely that many of us will continue to work from home at least part of the time.
That means that for millions of people home cooking their lunches, being distracted by their pets, and wondering whether they can repurpose their chest of drawers as standing desks, are habits that are here to stay. No longer faced with the need to commute to the office, and limited access to exercise equipment and resources that help people stay fit, people may find that they're less focused on their health.
In this article, we'll share four tips on how you can stay healthy when working from home.
1. Move Every Hour
It's easy to spend too much time at the computer when you're working from home. What's more, you may choose to spend your breaks sitting in front of the TV. This leads to long periods of sedation in which your body isn't moving.
Consider setting a timer to remind yourself to get up every hour. Spend a little time walking around the house or go for a quick walk around the block before resuming work.
2. Use An Active Sitting Chair
In addition to walking every hour, there are several ways that you can stay active even when working.
For example, sitting on an exercise ball is a great way to keep your body engaged while you’re in front of a computer. The unstable nature of the ball forces you to use your core muscles to stay upright, strengthening your body in the process.
Some take this a step further and choose to work while standing. Keep in mind that while this is an effective technique, it does require you to have a desk with a suitable height that will allow you to stand while working. If your desk is too low, you may cause issues with your posture due to having to stoop constantly.
3. Create A Stress-Free Environment
One of the best things about working from home is that you have complete control over your environment. Use this to your advantage by creating an environment that allows you to tackle stress.
For example, placing scented candles around your desk creates a more relaxed environment. So, too, does ensuring you have plenty of plants in your home office. Working near a window also helps to reduce stress, as having a view of nature can prove soothing.
4. Stock Healthy Snacks In Your Kitchen
The kitchen is only a short walk away when you’re working from home. Unfortunately, this also means that it’s very easy to access sugary snacks at any point.
The solution is to eliminate unhealthy snacks from the kitchen. Instead, stock the kitchen with fruits and healthy snacks.
Make these healthier options visible by placing them on the counter while hiding the unhealthy snacks in the cupboards. This ensures your healthy snacks act as a visual reminder to stick with the foods that are good for your body.
Your Health Is A Priority
While working from home offers a range of benefits in terms of flexibility, productivity, and work/life balance, it can also lead to a more sedentary working environment. Overcoming this requires you to come up with ways to keep your body active, even when you’re spending long hours sitting in front of a computer.
The four tips shared in this article will help you do just that. And best of all, none of them requires you to buy expensive exercise equipment.
Now, there are many more challenges related to remote work that both employees and businesses need to stay on top of. If you need any help creating the most effective remote work environments possible, schedule a 15-minute no-obligation conversation with our team today.