How to Stay Active While Working from Home

How to Stay Active While Working from Home

The COVID-19 pandemic has touched our lives in various forms, from changing our get-togethers to our working habits and rituals. Since the inception of COVID-19, organizations have given another approach to the conventional style of leaving your home to the workplace.

Many companies asked their staff to work from home to curb the spread of the virus, and that decision was really helpful to slow down the outbreaks. Now that society is slowly opening up again, some companies realized that working from home is not bad and instead continued with the remote working style. Hence, remote working and freelancing is now a huge trend and our new normal.

While working from home seems cool and gives you the freedom to get other things done and spend time with your family. However, living a sedentary life can affect your physical, social, and psychological health. That’s why it is essential to know how to keep fit and stay healthy with this new lifestyle.

In an era of working from home, how should you keep fit and stay healthy? Keep reading to find out more.

Health Tips to Follow Working from Home 

Healthy Diet

When working from home, it is essential to eat high-quality foods to cut down the risk of having diseases linked with a poor diet. A healthy diet should mainly consist of nutritious foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, eggs, beans, nuts, fish, lean meat, poultry, and low-fat dairy products. You should also limit your intake of saturated fat, trans fat, and high amounts of sugar and salt.

While you’re working from home, you might be more aware of your hunger than you would be at the office, so make it a habit by stocking up on healthy snacks as well.

Drink lots of water

Staying hydrated is paramount when you’re trying to stay healthy. But drinking carbonated drinks and energy drinks will not help, as they are high in sugar.

Water is always the best beverage of choice; to stay hydrated; you should have at least six glasses of water daily. But if you don’t like drinking water constantly, you can try detox water (Water + lemon + a little of honey) as well. Moderate amounts of tea and coffee are acceptable as well.

Exercise

You probably already know about the benefits of exercising, both physical and mental, but being intentional about exercise due to your predictable work style may be difficult. If you’re struggling with being physically active, maybe these suggestions can help:

Schedule an exercise session

The key is scheduling a workout routine and sticking to it. Try exercises that you were comfortable with before the pandemic. If you used to walk or run, try walking or running to get the juices flowing. You can use a treadmill, an upright bicycle or go for a quick walk around your neighborhood when it’s not crowded.

Get up every hour

Suppose you do not move for long periods. In that case, your likelihood of developing heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and high blood pressure will increase. So even if you don’t have an exercise routine, try to move for a few minutes after each hour that you sit still. Try walking up and down the stair, maybe taking the trash out, or do a couple of stretches.

Leverage digital workout sessions

If you want to work out in groups or need guidance, several workout videos and apps will help you. Moreover, there are text chains and groups that you can join or build with your friends to keep each other motivated or exercise using video calls.

Make the best of what you have at home

The bottom line is that you don’t postpone exercising if you don’t have a fancy treadmill or any other device that you deem necessary for getting started. You can do sit-ups, push-ups, yoga, and other forms of exercises that don’t need any equipment.

Optimize your working space

If you have a home office or build one in a nook for yourself, that’s great. But if you can’t, try setting up your equipment as best as you can. A chair with armrests and height that will allow you to rest your feet on the floor is ideal. Try keeping your hips and knees at a 90-degree angle or slightly above.

Keep your computer or laptop an arm’s length away, and place the top of your screen at eye level.

Balance your work life

When you work from home, it is very easy to lose the sense of when it’s time to work or when you should rest. You need to develop time boundaries, get yourself morning breaks, lunch, and afternoon breaks, and stop working at a reasonable hour.

Try meditating and relaxing to push away any stresses related to your job when you’re resting.

Try meditating

Practice mindfulness to reduce any anxiety and stress you may experience from work. Pay attention to your mental health and be present in the moment. Listen to calming music, use meditation apps, practice aromatherapy, or do anything that helps you stay grounded. Keep in mind that your mental health directly affects your physical well-being.

Key Takeaways

Maintaining physical and mental health while working from home isn’t easy. You need to have a balanced diet, workout routine, and mental health practices to stay in shape. You need to:

• Have a healthy diet with rich nutrients that are low in fat and added sugar
• Drink lots of fluids, preferably water
• Come up with an exercise routine 
• Give yourself breaks after each hour of working just to get up and move
• Use what equipment you have at home to stay active
• Use workout apps and videos for exercise ideas
• Try making your working space as optimized as you can
• Set up your work equipment right and in an ergonomic way
• Don’t overwork yourself to death and set up time boundaries
• Practice mindfulness 

Do you work from home? Share your experience in the comment session.

Written By: Mohebat Rezvani