Healthy habits while working at home
Posted on April 01 2020
Balancing your schedule with enough quality down-time when you work from home is key to your wellbeing. Although there are wellbeing and productivity challenges to working at home, there are plenty of advantages too. We’ve put together this article full of useful ideas and helpful tips to help you keep healthy habits.
Create a routine
Making a routine that you can stick with is one of the best ways to keep a healthy life balance at home. If your work is flexible, then keeping regular hours and breaks will help to avoid work creeping into your personal life and vice versa. Giving yourself manageable goals to complete will help you keep on top of tasks. Try starting the day by outlining your priorities or updating your to-do list each morning. Ticking off tasks gives us a sense of clarity and achievement, and in turn motivates you to do more.
Get the most out of your time by taking clear breaks and move away from your computer when it’s time to give your brain a rest. It can be tempting to eat lunch at your desk but moving to a different room or area is better for your mind and body. Take the opportunity to stretch your legs so you’re not sitting for too long in the same position.
Stay Connected
When you’re used to working together under the same roof, working at home can be challenging at first. The key to making this a success is good communication. Staying connected with your team is key to being motivated and productive at home. Technology has made this easy for us with video chat, instant messaging, collaborative workspaces and the good old phone call. Arranging set times to check in with your team each day will ensure you stay connected and feel supported.
Make time for meals
One of the upsides to working from home is having more flexibility with meals, with the added appeal of being close to your fridge. Try and keep healthy snacks close to your workspace to avoid the temptation of trips to the kitchen. Having a satisfying lunch away from your desk is also a great way to relax and re-charge. Spending a little time preparing your meals the day before will give you more time to enjoy your break. It may also be tempting to prioritise some extra sleep over a proper breakfast, but a nutritious meal in the morning is worth getting up for. Starting your day with a good breakfast is a great start to your routine and kick-starts your metabolism.1
Get outside
If you’re spending a lot of time indoors or under artificial light, getting outside is a great opportunity to boost your wellbeing. Taking a break from your workspace and getting some fresh air is good for your physical and mental health. If you have a garden then make the most of it while you’re at home. Spending your break outside is a good way to top up your daylight time too.
Getting more natural light during the day will boost your energy levels and can make it easier to drift off at night. Sunlight also helps your body to produce Vitamin D and serotonin, which can improve your mood and help you sleep better. If you’re not getting enough sunshine then it may be worth taking a Vitamin D supplement.2
Exercise
Making exercise part of your daily routine is a great way to break up your day. If you’re missing the gym, this is a great opportunity to mix up your workout and try something new. There are tons of simple exercises you can do at home without expensive equipment.
Make use of the wealth of ideas online, such as tutorials on YouTube, apps that encourage daily workouts, personal trainers on social media, or why not try one of the many 30 day challenges. Exercising is also a brilliant boredom buster for all ages. If the weather is nice then why not combine your time outdoors with some exercise to make the most of being outside.
Make time for yourself
If you’re a long-time commuter, you’ve probably dreamed of skipping the traffic and working from home. Between emails and skype calls, you might even find time to start a hobby or learn a new skill. Spending more time on things you enjoy will increase your sense of personal accomplishment. Setting some time aside to spend on your passion will also help you switch off from work and relax, so try and take advantage of having some extra you time.
What to remember
Working at home can mean that the lines between work and life can get blurred, but you can make it easy to keep healthy habits. Set yourself up for success by keeping a clear routine and manageable goals. When it’s time to have a break, stepping away from your desk or going outside will help you stay motivated and productive. Keep your body and mind stimulated and healthy by making time for exercise and hobbies.
