Working from home – for many, you either love it or you hate it! However, if you’re in the unsure camp, you’re not alone. Many people actually enjoy having the extra personal time in their own space, but still like getting into the office once a week, and can then struggle adjusting between the two.
Yet, it’s important we maintain this element of flexibility in the modern workplace. A schedule with 4 days out and 1 day in is great for so many reasons! Mainly, it can lower stress through more social time, and allows you to live a more functional, practical life outside of the office.
But if you’re finding it a bit difficult to use the remote working setup to your advantage, you might need to make use of the tips down below. Creating a working space within a private domicile can be tricky. But adapting might only be one simple change away.
Indeed, feeling healthy while working from home only leads to better work and more productive hours, and you can turn off the computer knowing you’ve achieved a job well done! Check out our tips for embracing the change and ensuring you feel good whenever you work remotely.
Set Working Hours
Working from home doesn’t mean you’re always on the clock. This is the number one problem amongst people who struggle to adjust between remote work and office work. Office work has a definitive end to it – when the clock strikes 5 or 6 pm, you can go home and turn your phone off.
But there’s this expectation that working from home requires you to always be available. You may have an idea that you’re wasting company time when you’re away from your desk, and have to make up for this however you can. But this couldn’t be more false.
Set a working start and a working end. If you get up at 8, give yourself an hour for breakfast and to get ready. Then log on at 9, stop for a break around half 11, get lunch at 1 pm, take another break at about half 3, and then clock off at your usual hour.
Take at Least Two Breaks
You might notice there’s two breaks listed in that mini schedule above. There’s a reason for that! The more breaks you take, the more productive you are. It’s true! When you give yourself time to rest and recharge away from the desk, and the project that’s taking up all of your mental faculty, you do much better work.
When working from home, don’t be afraid to take your full lunch hour, then 20 minutes on the breaks either side of it. Take time away from your desk, get a drink, rest your eyes and even go outside for a few minutes. Soak up some sun and fresh air – working inside long term can severely deplete your body’s Vitamin D stores.
Prepare a Proper Lunch
A proper lunch is very good for you. No more just grabbing a snack and eating it at your desk. Get yourself a proper, home cooked meal (or a takeaway every once in a while) and eat it somewhere else.
Let yourself enjoy both the nutrition and the peace and quiet. Give yourself at least 20 minutes to prepare your food, or simply meal prep on weekends and heat up portions as and when you need them.
Pack your lunch out with protein for more energy that’s easy to digest and doesn’t slow you down. A carb heavy lunch can make you a bit sleepy in the afternoon hours, especially when the weather is on the warmer side. Be sure to also include at least a couple fruits or vegetables in the dish, as you’ll pull lots of important vitamins and water from these.
Stand at Your Desk
Standing at your desk sounds a bit tiring, especially if you’re working 8+ hour shifts to complete a project or improve your turnaround. Which is why it’s best to get a desk you can both sit AND stand at – like something from Deskup with built-in ergonomic features that moves as you need it.
During those times when you’ve been sitting for a couple hours, you can just lift the desk with you as you stand. Spend a good 20 minutes working away while standing up and then sit back down again. It might also be a good idea to stand whenever you’re in a virtual meeting – not only is it good for your back and legs, but it might just get those meetings ending earlier as well!
Do Some Desk Stretches
Desk stretches are good for keeping RSI at bay, as well as keeping your back straight and your shoulders loose. It’s good to do these at least a couple times a day when you’re working from home, but don’t wait until you’re in pain to try them. Do them now to keep the aches at bay.
Start with your hands. One very common, easy stretch is to hold your arm out, point your palm up with the back of your hand facing you, and then use your other hand to pull your fingers towards you. Hold this position for at least 20 seconds and do it around 5 to 10 times, if you can. You can also bend them the other way, downwards with your back hand facing towards your computer screen.
Buy a Refillable Water Bottle
A refillable water bottle is a Godsend to the modern worker. Not only does it keep water fresh and cool longer than a glass, but it has a larger capacity and means you don’t have to get up every half hour for a refill. You can just fill up your bottle and slowly drain it over the course of a day.
This is very good for all the organs in your body, but it’s extremely good for your brain. You might find yourself able to think more clearly when you’re well hydrated, which’ll make those data sheets very simple to complete!
Don’t underestimate just how helpful this point can be. Desk workers tend to get wrapped up in the screen in front of them and forget all about taking a swig of water. But if a bottle is there in front of you, and the need to stay hydrated is less intrusive, you’re going to achieve it much easier!
Keep in Touch with Colleagues Outside of Collab Time
Remote working doesn’t mean you have to be lonely! Send your colleagues messages to ask how they’re doing, what their weekend was like, and if they fancy hopping on a call just to chat. Do this over lunch or through one of your breaks – you can then totally focus on each other without work getting in the way.
Get into a Routine
This change in routine, between working in the office and working from home, might have left you feeling out of place. Humans tend to love working on routines, as it ensures we know what to expect from the day. So, if you get into a routine at home that’s similar to the routine at the office, you might find yourself thriving in this working setup.
Dress Professionally Every Now and Then
If you notice yourself getting into a bit of a working slump, a change in your mindset could be beneficial. To manage this without falling even deeper into cabin fever, make some simple physical changes. To start with, dress a little more professionally every now and then.
If you think working from home means pyjamas or lounge bottoms and a dirty top to sit in, you couldn’t be more wrong! Sure, these are fine clothes when you’re working and not planning to leave the house (or be seen on your webcam), but they can leave you feeling pretty bad about yourself.
So take them off and put on more of a business casual fit instead. Something you’d like to wear around the office when you’re there in person. It’s amazing how quickly your perception of yourself and your job can change after changing your clothes!
And while we’re here, it’s worth it to mention the condition of your remote working space too. Is it a bit messy right now? Take 5 minutes to tidy it up. In doing so, you’ll refresh both your home and your mind.
Is Working From Home Healthy for You?
Working from home can be very good for you! You just need to get up from the desk, eat right, dress well, and stay in touch with your colleagues. You can even mention the latter issue to your manager, in order to suggest remote working initiatives that allow greater socialization for anyone struggling to adapt.
In the meantime, use these methods to keep you on track with your wellness. A good remote working setup takes the person into account, not just the job. Stay fit, fed, and hydrated for better work, productivity, and long term career results.
