While remote work has many benefits, it can also present physical and mental health challenges. That’s why it’s important to take care of your wellbeing when working from home.
Set up boundaries around time, health, relationships and space to help protect your wellness while working from home. Here are some tips to get you started.
Set Up a Workspace
Whether you’re working from home full time or part time, setting up your workspace properly can help keep your workday on track. A proper work space should be separate from other rooms in your house, including the kitchen and living room.
It should also be positioned in the best light. The right lighting can boost productivity and improve mood.
A proper setup can also help prevent distractions from taking hold. It’s a good idea to set a specific time each day when you will work from your workspace.
Take a Break
Working from home comes with a lot of benefits. You can spend less time commuting, wear whatever you want, and don’t have to worry about being distracted by the chatter of your office.
But it’s also important to take breaks from work. Sitting in front of a computer for hours on end can lead to health problems like headaches, neck and back pain, and eye strain.
Taking breaks can help you feel more refreshed and focused on your work. If you’re a remote worker, it can be especially important to stick to a break schedule so you don’t lose your productivity.
Eat Healthy
Working from home is a great way to eliminate some of the most common workday stressors. A 2011 Staples study found that remote employees experienced 25 percent less stress.
Often, a work-from-home job requires a lot of self-discipline. One of the most difficult things for a work-from-home employee to maintain is good nutrition.
If you’re used to grabbing fast food when you get hungry, it can be hard to change your habits. Rather than grab something on the go, plan out your meals and snacks so you have healthier options at your disposal.
You should also drink plenty of water while you’re working from home. It’s recommended to consume at least eight 8-ounce cups of water each day.
Stay Active
If you are used to being active outside the office, it can be tough to get back into good exercise habits when working from home. There are no physical cues such as walking to work, hitting the gym on your way home, or heading out for a jog.
But, a lack of activity can be detrimental to your health and overall productivity. It can also lead to weight gain around the waist, poor blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and back pain.
One of the best things you can do to keep yourself active is set mini-movement goals. A few minutes of heel-raises while brushing your teeth, push-ups on the counter while cooking dinner or squats between bites of lunch can be a great start.
Take Time Off
When you work from home, it’s important to take the time to refresh and relax. You’ll feel much more productive when you return to work.
You may be thinking, “Oh, I’m lucky I have a job that allows me to get paid time off when I’m sick or on vacation.” But this isn’t always the case.
One study found that 41 percent of American employees didn’t take a single day off in a year. It’s a common problem, and one that you can help solve by encouraging your staff to use their vacation days.