While working in an office is satisfying, working from home is an experience as well. When you work from home, you get certain perks, including being able to tailor your schedule to your convenience and saving on travel time. But that also brings some negatives, mainly the fact that being glued to your screen while stuck at home leads to a lot of unhealthy habits. Although work-from-home employees will meet deadlines and care for their families, they will pay little attention to their own health.
If you happen to be one of those employees, then this article is for you. Read on to know some of the best ways to stay healthy while working from home.
10 Ways To Stay Healthy While Working From Home
- Maintain A Schedule
- Follow A Healthy Diet
- Stay Hydrated
- Designate A Separate Space For Work
- Dress Up Well
- Don’t Sit For Too Long
- Be Social
- Don’t Forget To Exercise
- Work-Life Balance Is A Must
- Get Out Of The House
1. Maintain A Schedule
Want to relieve stress? Try sketching out a schedule for yourself. It would be tempting to live an erratic life when working from home. But, everything requires balance which can be brought by following a schedule.
Set a certain time for you to wake up and to sleep. Plan your schedule in such a way that you get at least 6-7 hours of quality sleep. Unless it’s really called for, avoid working on weekends. We say that because you need some time to recharge physically and mentally so that you can tackle your next week’s tasks with focus. Following a schedule will also lessen the chances of burnout.
2. Follow A Healthy Diet
If you want to stay healthy while working from home, following a healthy diet is important. Working from home doesn't mean that you eat unhealthily and do not follow a schedule. Honestly, we know that it’s quite the temptation. But since you’re working, you need to get those nutrients and fibers in your diet. This will not only make you alert to complete your tasks, but also will boost your immunity, strengthen your bones, and help in proper digestion.
So, make sure that you include those leafy greens, legumes, and dairy products in your diet. Avoid having products containing high sugar as they will only give you insulin spikes which are quite harmful to the body. If you feel like having a snack, have fruit instead of munching on chips.
3. Stay Hydrated
It’s easy to neglect drinking sufficient water while working because we get so caught up with getting things done. However, this shouldn't be the case. Our body constantly loses water via breathing, sweating, and urinating. So, we need to make sure that we have enough fluids in our system to avoid being dehydrated. Also, water helps in improving sleep quality and mood too.
Whenever you start your day, make sure that you fill a couple of water bottles and keep them on your desk. Drink at least 2 liters of water per day to keep your system hydrated and able to cleanse itself of toxins. Take small, frequent sips while working and try to complete those filled water bottles on your desk by the end of the day. Doing this will ensure that you have sufficient water stored in your system, helping you to stay healthy while working from home.
4. Designate A Separate Space For Work
You may think that your couch or bed will be the ideal work-from-home office space. Although they might look comfortable, they’re technically impractical options because they won't put you in the frame of mind to work. On the other hand, carving out a designated office space will do you good since you know that’s the space to solely work.
Ideally, a separate room in your house would be a good workspace. But if you don’t have room to yourself, get creative! Your office space could be a separate section situated on the kitchen countertop, or in the corner of your bedroom. Whatever it is, claim that space as your own so that when you end the day, you feel you have achieved something.
5. Dress Up Well
After you’ve done your morning routine of using the washroom and brushing your teeth, don’t directly sit to work in your pajamas. Treat your working day as if you’re actually going out to work. We don’t mean that you have to dress all formal; you can opt for simple presentable casuals which will put you in the mood to work. Your pajamas will only take your mind to a place of relaxation which can affect your productivity levels. After you have logged out, change into your normal home clothes.
Also, dressing up beforehand saves time with regard to sudden Zoom calls. That’s another bonus reason why you should do so.
6. Don’t Sit For Too Long
You would be constantly moving around if you were at your office. From attending multiple board meetings to visiting client offices, you would be getting some form of physical activity. Coming back to a work-from-home situation, things aren't exactly the same. You don’t feel the need to move since everything is done on the computer, even client talks and meetings. This can have a severe impact on your health.
Make sure that you move out of your chair every once in a while. Take 15-minute strolls around your apartment every hour. Go to the kitchen and make yourself a snack. If you’re living with your spouse, go up to them and have a small chat. Don’t be stuck in your chair for hours just to meet deadlines; trust us, it’ll do you more harm than good.
7. Be Social
Getting a chance to hang out with your colleagues is tough, especially if you’re working remotely. And there’s a chance that you might feel isolated since you really can’t take part in conversations with your colleagues, brewing up potential feelings of loneliness.
However, this can be easily combated. If you’re living with your family, give them some of your time by sharing a meal, or playing a game of cards. Go the extra mile and keep in touch with your other work-from-home colleagues so that connections are maintained. Whatever it is, see that you are talking with someone, and not separating yourself from the people around you.
8. Don’t Forget To Exercise
It’s easy to forget about exercising when you’re working from home. But, making time for a good workout has its own set of physical and mental benefits. Exercise not only improves overall physique but also reduces stress levels. Apart from that, a thorough workout session will give you a burst of energy, which in turn, helps you to stay focused and disciplined.
When you're preparing your schedule, don’t forget to include an exercise routine in it too. You can exercise in the morning, after work, or even mid-day if you feel like loosening up.
9. Work-Life Balance Is A Must
You don’t have to work 24 hours a day just because you’re working from home. You’ll just be overworking yourself, ultimately leading to burnout. After you’re done for the day, make sure that you don’t think about work. Don’t bring work into family discussions. Invite a couple of your friends over and have a drink with them. Spend those free hours binging a series on Netflix. Your time after office hours is for you to unwind.
10. Get Out Of The House
Last but not least, you need to step out of the house every once in a while. Going for a long drive, biking your way to a friend’s place, or even walking down the street with your headphones on are some of the things you can do outside the house. Sitting all week working in front of the computer can put a mental strain on your mind. And that’s why you need to go out to smell the roses, literally and figuratively!
Summing Up
You don’t have to be intimidated when a work-from-home situation arises since now you know some of the best ways to stay healthy while working from home. As they say, “health is wealth” so be sure that you take care of yourself and don’t stress too much over work. Don’t forget to share these tips with your other work-from-home colleague too.
FAQs
What Should You Not Do While Working From Home?
When you’re sitting down to work, make sure that you don’t choose your couch or your bed. Those are the least productive places to get things done. Also, avoid doing chores during work time. Allocate time for doing chores after you’re done for the day unless an emergency arises.
What Is One Of The Major Problems With Working At Home?
If you’re working remotely, loneliness can get the better of you since you haven't spent time with your colleagues. Give your colleagues a call once in a while just to find out how they are doing, or just to catch up on life.
How Do I Avoid Stress Working From Home?
You can reduce stress by exercising regularly, drinking plenty of water, and establishing a work-life balance.
