How do you ensure you stay healthy when working from home?

When the Coronavirus pandemic started, businesses all over the world shifted to a work from home model. Some people loved this new way of working, others not so. Soon the obvious challenges it presented in terms of physical and mental health became apparent for those who were unable to adjust. And, although COVID restrictions in the UK have been almost completely lifted, many companies have retained a hybrid model of working, so this article will focus on how to stay healthy when working from home.

There were many reasons why people struggled with working from home. Many professionals struggled to maintain a healthy work-life balance during the new arrangement; some just missed the physical contact with colleagues; others did not have appropriate facilities in their homes; and, for many; during the first lockdown the added challenge of home educating children became a terrifying challenge.

Slowly, this started taking a toll on their physical and mental health – and they didn’t even have the support network around them they needed,

Lack of activity and mobility created problems like obesity for millions all over the world. Not being able to socialise with peers and work colleagues resulted in poor mental health as well.

But many people loved working from home from the beginning, and others learnt to adapt, so much so that there is now an increased demand for remote positions that specify a permanent work from home opportunity.

But even if working from home suits your other aspirations and commitment, it is important to ensure a focus on healthier living options.

In this article, we are going to look at helping professionals working from home by providing them with healthy physical and mental tips to improve their overall well-being. If you are someone that wants to get your remote working life in order, this article is perfect for you.

Health challenges that remote working presents to corporate professionals

In the pre-COVID-19 era, most of us had a set routine. For example, we would work out before we got dressed for work, take public transport, walk the stairs in the office, and interact with colleagues. In other words, there was movement, a defined routine, and a specific process.

With remote working, these normal routines are abandoned. People wake up, sit in front of their computer screens, order takeaway and go to sleep!

Over a period, this results in severe issues like obesity, poor digestion, fatigued muscles and bones, along with impacting the normal sleep cycles. Mental health experts also pointed out that increased workloads, along with poor levels of socialisation lead to anxiety and stresses.

The following were some of the major challenges faced by individuals while remote working-

1. Not getting enough physical activity
2. Failure to stick to healthy eating routines
3. Striking a perfect work-life balance
4. Getting work burnout and exhaustion
5. Feeling isolated because of lack of socialization
6. Not staying motivated or encouraged to work
7. Problems in adjusting to the new life

List of the Top 6 Tips to Stay Healthy When Working From Home

In this section, we are going to look at five tips that can help you stay healthy while working from home-

1. Try to create a formal routine while working from home

Remember how you used to take a shower, get dressed and then go to work. Try to do that while working remotely. Put on clothes and set up a designated home office. You need to train your brain and body to set into a formal routine. Once you start doing this, you will notice that your work productivity has increased. Make sure to sit in a good posture in front of the screen.

2. Create a good working environment

Having a good working environment is so important but can be really challenging if you don’t have the space for a separate office. But if that is the case, work on finding a spec that meets your needs and is used, as much as possible, exclusively for work time.

Adopting Feng Shui principles will help create a space that is tidy, welcoming, comfortable and will also help increase productivity.

3. Fix a time for physical activity and exercise

In most parts of the world, restrictions on public movement have been lifted. This means that you can go for a brisk walk or jog at designated times in the day. Make sure you are sticking to this to keep your body in shape and improve bodily functions. This will prevent you from getting obese, aid the body’s digestion and allow you to get naturally tired and fall asleep.

You can easily adopt a regular home workout but do also ensure you include plenty of time in the fresh air.

4. Take out time for your friends and family member

While businesses are guilty of piling on extra work to their employees, taking time out from work should be a conscious decision. Make sure that you are not working after the stipulated working hours. Make it a point to have dinner with your family and catch a movie on the weekends. You will see that making such a slight change will help improve your mood levels.

5. Drink enough water to stay hydrated

Most of us had a fixed plan when it came to consuming water during office hours. We knew that we had to finish two to three litres of water every single day. With WFH, this practice went for a toss. It is essential to stay hydrated while remote working. Put an alarm reminder to help you remember when you should drink. This helps in digestion and improves metabolism.

1. Eat healthy food items like fruits, vegetables, and lean protein

If you are at home, theoretically it should be easier to eat healthily as you should have all the ingredients for a healthy lunch to hand. The reality is that many people just snacked on all the wrong things!

Set yourself a specific time for lunch, make something healthy with plenty of salad, different coloured vegetables, nuts, seeds, and grains, and refrain from drinking aerated drinks as they will harm you.

Make the food look attractive and don’t sit at your desk to eat it!

If the weather is good, there is nothing better than sitting outside to eat your lunch.

The Bottom Line

If you are not taking care of your physical and mental health during WFH, your productivity will suffer drastically. Not following a healthy plan of action will lead to the onset of serious illnesses and lifestyle conditions.

If you have any questions or doubts about staying healthy when working from home that you would like us to address, please let us know in the comments below.