A recent study showed that in the next few years, nearly 50% of America’s workforce will be working remotely. This means work from home jobs are on the rise. And with decreased overhead and convenience leading the pack of reasons why, the luxury of sending emails from your pajamas might not be all it’s cracked up to be. Aside from feelings of isolation and mind-numbing silence, working from home might actually impact your health. And not in a good way! Are you one of the millions of Americans currently working from home? If so, this article shares a few tips for staying healthy when making the transition from the office to your couch.
Combat Cravings
The average American eats out approximately 4 times per week. Not only does this hurt your wallet, but your waistline too! Most people’s first thought when taking on a work from home job is, “This is great! I can finally eat healthy.” With every ingredient, meal, and resource at your disposal, how could you not follow the healthy diet you’ve laid out for yourself? Here’s how. It may be convenient for you to reach for those celery sticks or cucumber slices you prepared, but it’s equally as convenient to grab those chips, cookies, and leftover pizza. Many of us have cravings during the day, but being strapped to our desks or tending to work obligations help distract us from indulging in every craving we have. When you’re working from home, it’s far too easy to get up and raid the snack closet or heat up unhealthy leftovers from the weekend. Not to mention, after you feast on these “goodies”, you probably return to your desk and remain inactive for a majority of the day. Combat this vicious cycle by only stocking your shelves and fridge with healthy snacks and meal options. This will prevent you from giving into those nagging cravings that are bound to set in when work slows down.
Get Up and Move
One of the best ways to stay healthy when working from home is to remember to take breaks to get up and move around. Most employees who work in an office engage in at least some form of physically activity. Whether it’s climbing the stairs at work, walking through the parking garage, passing files from one office to the next, or taking a walk on their lunch break. If you work from home, your longest commute is from your bed to the coffee maker. Once you plop down in front of your computer, you may not get up again for the next 8 hours — other than to use the bathroom or grab a snack. Not only can this take its toll on your productivity and mental health but your physical health as well. The human body is designed to get up and move! Take breaks periodically and step away from your desk. Do some mild stretching, take a walk around the block, or simply do a few laps around your house. If you’re afraid to miss out on work, take your phone calls with you. Invest in a headset and walk around while you make calls or follow-up on recent projects. Take these short breaks gives you a change of pace and might help prevent you from hitting that afternoon slump. Even mild cardio helps to improve heart health, circulation, and overall well being.
Create a Creative Oasis
Staying healthy while working from home means paying attention to both your physical and mental health. One of the biggest challenges remote workers face is productivity. Although some remote workers report feeling more productive and focused when working from home, others find it difficult to separate their work and home life. When you’re tapping away at the keys sitting at your dining room table, just feet from those dirty dishes in the sink or the laundry that’s piling up, it’s difficult to ignore. But you need to! Creating a specific workspace will help make this divide possible. Designate an office or area in your home that is meant for strictly work and nothing else. This helps your mind and body shift into “work mode” when you need to. Not only will this increase productivity, but it’ll also help reduce stress and anxiety associated with your work performance. One million employees reportedly called out of work sick with symptoms associated with stress. Migraine and tension headaches, chest pains, and difficult breathing are all signs that your job is causing unhealthy levels of stress and anxiety. Prevent work stress from taking over by making yourself a creative oasis at home.
Consider Ergonomics
When designing your workspace, you need to consider more than just aesthetics. Sure, including your favorite paint color, inspirational quotes, and essential oil diffuser might help you relax and fuel your creative mind, but you need furniture that supports a healthy body. Most desks and desk chairs are designed for looks over efficiency. If you plan to sit at your desk for an extended period of time, you need to consider ergonomics. Ergonomics is the study of people’s efficiency in their work environment. And in terms of your health, it means finding a desk and chair that don’t wreak havoc on your neck and back. If you’re already feeling the negative effects of long hours at a desk, this chiropractor can help. To avoid future issues, consider investing in a standing desk, practicing good posture, and keeping your computer at or above eye level to prevent slouching. Another tip is to take breaks from staring at the screen whenever possible. This can trigger migraines and cause troubles with eyesight over time.
Working from home is the answer to many people’s prayers. It means no commuting, no need to spend thousands of dollars on expensive work clothes, and less wear and tear on their vehicle. But what about the wear and tear it takes on your body and mind? Keep these tips in mind to stay healthy while at work and at home (especially if they’re one in the same).
Article Submitted By Community Writer
