A growing number of us are working from home in this day in age. While the pandemic forced the majority of people to work from home, numerous companies are now offering flexible working as a selling point, which allows those with other commitments to still advance in their careers.
Although there are many bonuses to working from home, there are also plenty of disadvantages, including not knowing when to switch off, poor positive and not refueling.
Here, we’ve listed five top tips to help you stay healthy when working from home, to ensure you can make the most of the situation and avoid developing any bad habits…
1. Ensure you take plenty of breaks
When working from home, it can be extremely easy to fall into the trap of working longer hours, not taking breaks, or answering calls and emails when you should be spending time on yourself or with your family.
To avoid this, it’s important to set clear boundaries. From setting alarms that remind you to take a lunch break to put your out of office on when you log off for the evening, it’s important to treat home working in the same manner you would treat working in the office. Too much work will only cause you to burn out.
It’s also essential to take breaks to refuel. Whether this is with water, coffee, or a healthy snack, eating healthy, wholesome food will boost your brainpower, ensuring you can meet pressing deadlines, can stay motivated and are able to concentrate.
Getting some fresh air when you choose to take a break is also a must! Staring at a screen all day isn’t healthy for anyone. A ten-minute walk around the block will suffice and can have the effect of resetting our minds and bodies.
2. Ensure your office is set up correctly
It’s extremely important to ensure your home office setup is a quality setup. Many companies will courier chairs, screens, laptops, and tablets to your home at your request if you don’t already own these items.
Working from the sofa, or worse still, from your bed will likely result in bad posture and a bad back. Ensuring you take plenty of small breaks away from your desk is also a must.
Alternatively, opt to invest in a standing desk, which is proven to be a much healthier way to work. This is something your office may help source for you if you ask. Yoga is also a great activity to indulge in, as activity pre, during, and after work can help to stretch tired achy muscles, nursing them back to health.
3. Get dressed
This may sound like a silly tip, but it’s amazing how many people don’t bother to change out of their pajamas or sports clothes when working from home.
It’s important to differentiate your working day and your home life, and dressing for work (just as you would for the office) is one way to do this. Once you clock off, you can revert back to your comfy clothes.
Dressing like we’re going to the office also has the effect of boosting our brainpower and motivation levels. Pajamas on the other hand can make us feel like day and night have merged.
4. Find a quiet spot to work
While working from home can be ideal and even preferable for some, for those who live in small apartments, shared houses or with young children, it can be near impossible. Be sure to make those you live with the awareness of your working hours and your working space.
If you’re lucky enough to have a separate office, placing a ‘do not disturb sign on the door is a great way to warn others you are not to be interrupted. This way you can reduce your stress levels and ensure that productivity remains high.
5. Dress your office space
Try to make your home desk as bright and inviting as possible, yet also separate from other living areas, such as the bedroom and lounge. Working from your bedroom and then sleeping in your bedroom will result in the feeling that you have never switched off.
Add pictures and plants or blooms to your desk space to inject a little colour and interest into this space. A number of plants and flowers are proven to increase motivation levels, and (depending on which plant you choose) can purify the air.
Several houseplants also require a minimal level of care, meaning they’ll be able to survive even if you return to the office more in the future.
Following these simple tips should ensure you can stay as healthy as possible while working from the comfort of your own abode.
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