With so many people having to work from home, there needs to be proper education on how we can care for ourselves. There is a lot to like about working from home, such as the comfort and lack of commuting. However, you can’t afford to let your health take a downturn. These are the best strategies for maintaining your health when working from home.
Limit Sitting
Sitting for prolonged periods of time has been shown to be very detrimental to health. Experts have linked it to problems such as cancer and cardiovascular disease. If you’re working a desk-based job, you might think that you have no choice but to sit for many hours in a row. However, there are things you can do, such as buying an electric standing desk so you can work without sitting. If you have to sit, try to take breaks at least every 30 minutes. See how long you can stand up at one time. You might be surprised to find how easy it is after a while and that you prefer standing.
Make Food At Home
If you’ve been regularly calling for delivery for your lunch break, you may need to rethink that. The healthiest meal you can get is a nutritious one you prepare at home. Go to the grocery store on a regular basis and get ingredients for meals you can have throughout the week. Get items that are fresh and offer plenty of nutrition in different ways. Not only will you be much healthier but you’ll definitely be saving more money. There are websites and apps that help you with meal planning, even based on dietary needs. A slow cooker is a great thing to have, as it can help you cook large portions of meals with the minimal effort exerted. Keep track of your grocery bill over the next few weeks and see how it compares to when you were constantly ordering food.
Keep Work and Home Lives Separate
Separating your work life from your home life can be really difficult when both are in the same place. You need to find ways to keep both as apart as you can. When you’re not at work, you need to find ways to fulfill yourself so you’re not just thinking about what’s happening with your job. Try to pursue a new hobby or find a new book or television series to absorb yourself in. You also need to remember the importance of maintaining a strong social life. Schedule a call with a friend and discuss whatever you feel is important to cover. Work should not be the only thing on your mind, nor should it be the only thing you’re looking forward to.
Get Enough Sleep
You don’t have to get up as early as you did when you were commuting to work, but it’s still important to make sure you’re getting plenty of sleep. Your sleep routine has an impact on your mood and cognition during the day. Set up your bedroom in a way that makes it easy for you to relax and fall asleep. Set your alarm so that you can wake up with plenty of time to prepare for your day. Get yourself a good breakfast and review what you need to take care of before the day is over. You’ll feel much less rushed and much more able to enjoy yourself throughout your day. Going to bed and waking up at the same time each day are very important.
Work Out
Even if you don’t have access to your local gym, you can still get exercise. Find ways to set up a home gym, even if you don’t have any equipment available. Look for bodyweight exercises you can perform, such as pushups, crunches, and wall sits. See if you can get some weights to work with as well. Stick to a consistent exercise program and see just how much it helps you stay disciplined and improves your physique. You may also find videos you can workout with that help you stay motivated and have more fun. There need to be some sacrifices when you’re working from home, but you can still continue exercising.
Working from home is definitely an adjustment for many people, but it doesn’t mean it’s an excuse to stop caring for yourself. You are the person who’s most responsible for your health. No matter what conditions you’re working under, you should be putting your wellness first.