tips on how to stay healthy while working from home

How To Stay Healthy While Working From Home

Staying healthy while working from home can be very challenging, but with the right routine, it is totally possible.

Working from home, or remote working, has been the norm for some people even before the pandemic started. Remote working has plenty of advantages, like flexible schedules, zero commute, more time with loved ones, etc. However, it can also take a toll on a person’s physical, mental, and social well-being. This is why it’s important to prioritize your health while working from home, and working on staying in great shape can help you become more motivated and productive at work.

How To Stay Healthy While Working From Home

How To Stay Healthy While Working From Home

1. Maintaining Work-Life Balance 

 Working from home and achieving the right work life balance can be difficult. The best thing you can do is to create a schedule that works with your lifestyle. One of my biggest tips for working from home and maintaining a balance includes making sure you have a designated area where you can work. Work in the same area every day so you can associate that area with working. When work hours are over, completely shut down your computer and put your work away so you are not tempted to keep working. 

2. Keep a regular exercise schedule

This can be as simple as taking a walk around the block during your lunch break. This helps to improve your mental health and it gives you a chance to get some fresh air. You can also invest in a standing desk in your home office which has been shown to have many benefits including weight maintenance, overall better blood circulation, and increased productivity. 

3. Sticking to a daily routine

The lack of structure and distractions at home can make it difficult to stay focused on your work. In fact, research has shown that people who work at home are more likely to experience burnout than those who work in an office space. This is why it is very important to stick to a daily routine. Start with a simple morning routine and work on cultivating a  “shut-down” routine for when it’s time to log off your computer and transition out of work mode.

4. Get dressed daily

As tempting as it may be, do not stay in your pajamas all day. Working from home can be a great source of freedom and flexibility.  At first, you might enjoy sitting in sweats and pajamas when you work at home, but I’ve personally found that it makes the biggest difference on my mental health to change my clothes and dress in something cute. This inspired me to created a habit around getting dressed daily. Getting dressed each day sends a message to your brain that it’s time to act a certain way. Your actions change when your mindset changes, and getting dressed helps set your mind on the right track. It also helps boost confidence and puts you in a better mood because when you look better, you feel better!

Work from home health tips

5. Set a meal schedule for your work-from-home workday

Staying healthy while working from home is one of the biggest challenges for those that have suddenly started working remotely.

Just like you would in an office, set a schedule for the times you will be eating. This applies to both snacks and meals. One of the biggest obstacles I find with my clients that work from home is this constant need to snack and take a walk to the kitchen. The best way to avoid mindlessly overeating in this scenario is to set a schedule and take the time to meal prep. Try to keep your eating habits healthy by building balanced meals and snacks that keep you full for longer and provide you with lasting energy.

Another tip I want to mention is avoid eating in your work area. Instead, sit and enjoy your meals and snacks at the kitchen table. It can be so difficult to take a break during your work day especially if you are a remote worker because the lines between your job and home life can blur. However, it is important to step away and take the time to nourish your mind and body.

6. Keep healthy snacks on hand

As already mentioned before, it’s so easy to fall into the habit of mindless snacking when you work from home. And if you’re just a short walk away from your kitchen, it’s much more tempting to munch on snacks throughout the day. This is why it is important to keep healthy snacks on hand. If you have healthy snacks like fruit, nuts, veggies, it’s much more likely that you’ll be inspired to reach for those which will provide your body with nutrients and help to fill you up. When you feel full and satisfied, you are less likely to want to snack on less healthy foods. Some of my favorite healthy snacks: veggies and hummus or guacamole, chia pudding, high-fiber smoothies, fruit and nuts.

7. Get outside

I try to get outside a few times a day, even if it’s just stepping outside into the sun for a few minutes or taking a short walk around the block. Fresh air and Vitamin D do wonders for your mental health, productivity and boosting your mood. Click here to read about how nature can help you feel better today!

8. Practice Deep Breathing

Taking a few deep breaths each day has done wonders for my health. Every day I take a break for about one minute to do some deep breathing. It helps me spend some time becoming mindful of my surroundings and acknowledging all that I have to be grateful for. This one minute changes my entire mindset especially on the overwhelming days where my to-do list is long. Do 3-5 deep breaths and notice how much stress and tension is released from your body when you do that.

I hope these tips are helpful as you learn to work from home. I know it can take some time to get used to a new routine, but once you take some time to get organized and set up your work area, you will find a new rhythm that works for you! Which tip did you find most helpful? Let me know in the comment section below.

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