Although some people were used to working from home even before the pandemics, with the COVID-19 outbreak, many of us were forced to adjust to this huge change. At first it might have seemed wonderful not having to go to the office in the morning and not being stuck in all those traffic jams on your way to work. However, unless this was something you were prepared for, it’s likely that you began noticing some health-related changes on yourself. All the time spent indoors, the lack of movement and the long hours sitting in front of one screen or another were bound to take their toll on your physical and mental well-being. In case this is something you’ve been struggling with, perhaps these great tips might help you stay as healthy as possible while working remotely.
Keep Moving
All of the sitting, whether when you’re working or when you’re chilling in front of your TV after work, can harm your health more than you expect. Obesity, hypertension, as well as increased blood sugar and cholesterol levels are just some of conditions linked to insufficient physical activity and prolonged periods of sitting. This is something you should always keep in mind, as it’s not that difficult to prevent if you’re organized and determined enough. Dedicating merely half an hour a day to staying physically active can improve your health and keep the consequences of sitting at bay. All you need to do is figure out what sort of exercise regimen works for you. Some people like working out in a gym, others prefer running or cycling outdoors. However, these are just a few examples. From restorative yoga to dance lessons to swimming to pole dancing, you simply need to find what suits you and keep on working out.
Eat Well
One benefit of working from home is that there’s a better chance of you incorporating cooking into your daily schedule. Even though what and when you eat has always been extremely important, it’s something that you should pay special attention to if you’re working remotely and are more idle physically than you were before. Making your meals from scratch is a phenomenal way to start, so shop for fresh ingredients and make it your mission to eat at least one home-cooked meal per day. Maybe you can even challenge yourself to cooking one or two meals every week that you’ve never cooked before. That way you’ll uplift your cooking skills and keep things interesting in the kitchen. Eat as much fresh food as you can, which includes fruit, vegetables and nuts. They are good for your metabolism, immune system and your health in general. If you still feel as if something is missing in your diet and you notice that you aren’t feeling as well as usual, find some high-quality vitamins and supplements to stay healthy. These can help you sleep better, boost your energy, or improve the state of your joints, muscles, skin and hair, and that’s merely the beginning. If you think your immune response isn’t strong enough or you have allergies, there are supplements and vitamins to get you through anything. The best thing is that, nowadays, you can order them online and have them delivered at your address in no time.
Establish a Routine
When your home is where you both live and work, it’s easy to get lost in what you do when the lines between the two become blurred. This is why it’s essential that you form a routine that you’ll stick to every day. You need to establish boundaries when it comes to when you’re available to your boss and your clients, or when you’ll work on a project or answer your emails. Although you may not be obliged to work your regular office hours, knowing precisely when and how long you’ll work each day will give you the type of structure you need. If you know your working hours, you’ll also know when you can find time for yourself and things that bring you joy, things that are important to you as a person, which can only benefit your mental health. After all, reading a book, listening to some music or spending time with your loved ones or your pets are things that matter as much as your job does, or far more than that, which is why you should always have time for them. In addition, determining your working hours allows you to maintain a good routine when it comes to other aspects of your life, such as sleep, regular meals and physical exercise, which are crucial to your overall well-being.
Your health should always come first, so nourish your body and mind with what they need. Don’t forget, your job is just a part of your life, and it should never cost you more than it brings you, so take care of yourself and your well-being before devoting yourself to work.