Working from home is a great opportunity to get more work done, but it can also come with some health risks. Sitting at home all day can lead to decreased mobility and temptation to snack on unhealthy foods. This can cause weight gain and other health problems. In this blog post, we will discuss some tips for staying healthy while working from home. We will also share some of our favorite snacks for working from home!
1. Make a designated work space in your home that is separate from the living and sleeping areas-
Find the WFH location where you’ll be most productive. If you live in a small apartment, you may not have many options, but if you have a larger home, you should find a location that is out of the way. You’ll want to choose a location that is both free of potential distractions (such as a TV or all of the snacks) and has plenty of natural light.
You’ll want to make sure your workspace has enough lighting to prevent eyestrain. It is beneficial to choose a sunny location near a window. Consider borrowing a floor lamp or table lamp from another room to create a well-lit workspace if you need to complement overhead illumination. If your eyes become fatigued after the first day of working in your new environment, it’s time to adjust the lighting. Try adding another source of light or adjusting the current lighting’s position.
Make sure your workspace is close to a power outlet, or invest in a multi-plug extension cord so you can plug in everything you’ll need at the same time—computer, phone, printer.
If you’ll be performing a lot of video calls, do a mock call at your new office to see how it appears. A basic, non-distracting wall makes a decent backdrop, and correct lighting (see above) improves video quality. While you’re at it, check the strength of the WiFi signal in that region of the home.
2. Get dressed every day as if you were going to an office – even if you’re only going to be working in your pajamas
It can be tempting to fall into a uniform of sweatpants and pajamas when working from home for an extended time. And while there’s something to be said for relaxing your style when you don’t need to adhere to an office dress code, some folks actually prefer to get dressed up to maintain a sense of normalcy.
3. Set regular work hours and stick to them as closely as possible
According to a recent survey, those who work from home rather than in a traditional office setting are actually working more hours. One reason is that working from home makes it more difficult to keep track of time because you don’t have a commute, which typically indicates when work begins and ends.
Goals give you something specific to strive for and help you keep focused on the most critical tasks. You have the option of setting large, broad objectives or smaller, micro objectives. Setting daily and weekly goals can also be beneficial because they provide structure. Regardless of which strategy you use to make goals, keep experimenting until you find one that works for you.
4. Take breaks throughout the day
even if it’s just for a few minutes of stretching or walking around the house.
The main reason is that working from home entails not only working but also caring for your family, homeschooling children, cooking meals, and attempting to practise self-care. As a result, today’s work-at-home employees are stretched even thinner than before. Make the most of working from home by using your commuting time for personal purposes. Anything but working. Eat breakfast with your family, read a book, exercise, or watch TV. You may establish a healthy work-life balance by not allowing your job time to intrude into your personal time in the morning.
The same may be said of lunchtime. Stop working and go for a real lunch break, exactly like you would if you were still at work.
5. Drink plenty of water and eat healthy snacks to keep your energy up
Dehydration can cause headaches and weariness, both of which are detrimental to productivity. Fill a water bottle and put it near your workstation at home, just like you would at work. If you have water on hand, you’re more likely to drink it, which will help you meet your daily water goal of 64 ounces. (And please avoid sugary drinks and juice, which will lead you to collapse later.)
Caffeine should be consumed in moderation. It may seem like having unlimited cups of coffee is a great idea, but when it comes to what is natural caffeine, be cautious. Excessive consumption has been linked to headaches, anxiety, digestive problems, and even exhaustion. Make healthier choices on the way. It is understandable that snacking helps energize but that may lead to unhealthy snacking habits and weight gain. Meal In One, by Health nut, helps you energize and make healthy choices.
6. Stay connected with friends and family members – make time for socializing outside of work whenever possible
Building rapport requires seeing people’s faces, even if it is through a screen. It allows you to connect on a deeper level, in addition to realising that the people you ping on a daily basis are real beings. Looking someone in the eyes and utilising open body language – or even simply hearing their voice – gives essential emotional context that enhances the meaning and engagement of encounters. Use rich real-time media such as video conferencing and voice calls for colleague catch-ups in addition to team meetings and one-on-one meetings.
To give a summary,
While it may be tempting to work from bed or in your pajamas, resist the urge and make a designated space for work in your home. Dressing like you’re going to an office even if you’re only working from home will help keep you focused, as will setting regular hours and taking breaks throughout the day. And don’t forget to drink plenty of water and eat healthy snacks – they’ll help keep your energy up so you can stay productive all day long. Finally, try to stay connected with friends and family members outside of work whenever possible – maintaining a strong social life is important for overall happiness and wellbeing. Have any other tips to share? Let us know in the comments below!
