Lately many of us may have found our daily routines thrown off due to working remotely full time. Working at home, while it has many benefits, can also result in less physical activity and more couch time. What can you do to find a balance of working from home and maintain a physically healthy lifestyle? Here are our tips on staying physically healthy while working from home:
1. Create a schedule. Let’s face it, it’s easy to set your alarm for 8:45AM, roll out of bed, and open your laptop. But that is not a healthy habit to get into. Set your alarm to wake up well before you need to start working. Go to the gym, get a walk or run in, or simply cook yourself a healthy breakfast before starting your work day. This will allow yourself to get in some exercise before you sit down for work.
2. Get dressed. This goes along with having a schedule. While working in pajamas sounds ideal, it may prevent you from doing other activities or even leaving your house. Get dressed as soon as you wake up to help your mind adjust from sleep-mode to a work mentality. If you’ve already worked out in the morning, take a shower and don’t change back into your PJ's!
3. Set up reminders to move. Put some time on your work calendar as little reminders to move every hour. It could be as simple as walking up and down the stairs in your house, throwing in a load of laundry, or doing a 10 minute brisk walk around your neighborhood. Just do something to get your blood working and get away you’re your computer. Bonus: Every time your movement reminder goes off, challenge yourself to drink a glass of water as well.
4. Eat away from your computer or work space. Our desks are meant for working—not eating. Instead of eating while you work, consider eating your lunch in your backyard to get some fresh air and a change of scenery. This will allow you to take a much needed break, enjoy your lunch, and feel refreshed when getting back to your work.
5. Schedule work breaks. It can be tempting to stay glued to your computer to show your teammates you’re online, but don’t be afraid to take breaks. Consider organizing your workday to knock out the most important tasks first. During your break, take a short walk, stretch, or maybe do one of our 10 minute workouts! As an added bonus, taking breaks from your screen can boost productivity. While it sound counterproductive, research indicates taking short breaks while performing long tasks can help maintain productivity levels.
6. Turn off your computer. When working remotely, it can be hard to separate professional and personal time, resulting in extra-long work days. Remember, your home “office” is also your personal space—a place for relaxation and family time. It’s important to maintain a good work-life balance, so walk away from your computer after a solid work day.
