How to Stay Healthy While Working at Home

I know for some working from home may be difficult right now. Let's look at the bright side of things. It allows you to avoid commuting, wake up a little later, have more time for family and friends, and avoid the pitfalls that working in an office may bring for some. Unfortunately, it can also be a little more of a challenge to be healthier, since you are in your comfortable, cozy home where you have food at your disposal. I've worked from home for the last 8 years and I love it!. I wanted to share a few tips on how to stay healthy while you work from home.

Have a Designated Work space

It can be difficult to be healthy and motivated during the day if you work in bed or on your couch. While this is okay some of the time, it should not be where you spend all day, every day while working. What this does is make it too comfortable, to where you tend to not get as much work done, and it can really mess with your mental health.

Try to set up a designated work space in your home, whether it is a home office, part of the kitchen table, or a desk you have set up in a quiet place. Focus on work while in your work space, and leave work there when it’s time to take a break.

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Prep and Pack Your Meals and Snacks

Treat working from home as you would a job outside the home by preparing all your meals and snacks ahead of time. This will keep you from munching on unhealthy snacks all day, instead of eating well-balanced meals. Cook your breakfast in the morning, then prep your snacks and lunch for the day ahead of time. That way, you don’t take too much time away from working every time you need to have a meal or snack, and you already have the healthy snacks all planned out.

Get Dressed Every Morning

Another way to stay healthy while you work from home is to get dressed. Similar to where you work, how you work can make a big difference in how your subconscious treats your work environment. In the morning, take a shower, brush your teeth, and get dressed just like you were heading out of the home to your job. It puts you in the mood to work and gives you great focus and productivity.

Have Scheduled Breaks

Just because you are working from home, does not mean you should be working every time you are at home. You need breaks for your mental and physical health. Have a scheduled morning break to get up and take a walk, take your dog out, or stretch your legs. Your lunch break should not be at the same place as where you work, just like an afternoon break if you choose to take one. Take advantage of these breaks to get a little exercise in.

Stay Connected For Your Mental Health

As much as you may not want to be on that video conference call, it can actually help your mental health. Human connection is important. It is a fundamental human need, even if you are an introvert. Social connection can help calm anxiety and ease depression. Some of you have gone from daily interactions with colleagues to not seeing them at all. Spending a little time in a video conference room with your colleagues will help you a lot more than you think.