We can’t deny the benefits of working from home. There’s no need to commute, so we can sleep in a bit. We can even dress up as much (or as little) as we want!
However, the remote work lifestyle isn’t without its downsides, particularly with regards to our health. There’s the constant temptation to snack on unhealthy food, for instance. Then there’s the lack of physical activity since we end up staying seated for much of the day.
Right now, it can be challenging to maintain an active lifestyle. The majority of fitness gyms are still closed and we have yet to achieve herd immunity as of this writing. Still, there are many ways to stay fit – even if you’re stuck at home:
Choose a good chair.
Many people underestimate its benefits. Face it, you’ll be on it most of the time when you’re working from home. Be sure to get one that will help you maintain good posture all throughout the day. Your back will thank you for it.
A standing desk can be good too.
If you don’t want to stay seated, you can try a standing desk. It would force you to stay on your feet, but you won’t have to deal with a sore back at the end of the day.
Standing desks can also help you reduce the risks of a sedentary lifestyle, so they’re worth a try.
Get up and get out.
I know, I know. All those deadlines piling up make it hard for you to leave your desk. But for the sake of your health and sanity, get up and move around for a few minutes every hour or so.
It doesn’t even have to be a strenuous activity. You can just do a quick stretching exercise. Or go out for a few minutes to catch some sunshine and fresh air.
Stick to a healthy schedule.
Given WFH’s flexibility, there’s a huge temptation to oversleep or to stay up late. However, that’s neither healthy nor productive.
If you want to stay productive and sane, set a reasonable work schedule – and stick to it. This means sleeping at a reasonable hour and waking up early in the morning. Trust me, you’ll feel better and more energised for the rest of the day.
Don’t stop working out.
There’s no reason to stop exercising just because you can’t go to your favourite gym. Keeping your body active is good for both your physical and mental health.
As with meetings, schedule your workouts so you won’t forget them. It doesn’t matter if you do them early in the morning, later in the afternoon, or even after hours, as long as you get it done.
Create a soothing environment.
An aesthetically-pleasing work setup can inspire you to be more productive – and can also be more relaxing at the same time.
If you love being outdoors, for instance, position your desk in front of a window. Having a work playlist with your favorite tracks can also give your spirits a lift. Basically, go for whatever helps keep your stress levels under control.
Set your limits.
Working from home can blur boundaries like nothing else. Since you’re in the same place all the time, it’s hard to know when to stop working. You can avoid this by tracking your time and refraining from checking and responding to emails after work hours. Whatever you do, don’t neglect your most important boundaries.
Stock up on healthy snacks.
There’s nothing wrong with snacking on junk food occasionally, but they can be a dangerous slippery slope. To avoid binging on them, buy more fruits and vegetables to snack on.
Doing a bit of meal planning so that you eat balanced meals can also help you stay in shape, especially when paired with the right exercises.
Take a shower and get dressed.
Resist the temptation to wear pajamas all day- even if you’re not going anywhere. Dressing up can help reinforce boundaries and, most importantly, help you get into the right mindset so you’ll be more productive.
So hit the shower, dress up as though you were coming into the office, and get cracking.
While it can be challenging to maintain a healthy WFH lifestyle, it isn’t impossible. Delegating certain tasks also helps as it frees you up to focus on more important things like taking care of your health.
Remote Staff has been helping AU SMEs and entrepreneurs do just that by helping them find, hire, and retain the best Filipino remote workers who can take several crucial tasks off their hands. Whether you need a well-rounded virtual assistant or a skilled bookkeeper, we’re sure to have them on our roster.
Call us today or schedule a call back so we can get started.
Serena has been working remotely and writing content for the better part of the last decade. To date, she's written for Pepper.ph and Mabuhay Magazine, among others, and has churned out more than a thousand articles on everything from The Basics of Stock Market Investing to How to Make Milk Tea-Flavored Taho at home. Hermits, aspiring hermits, and non-hermits with interesting project propositions may email her at serena.estrella10@gmail.com.
