Many of us suddenly switched from office-based to home-working due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Over this time, it is likely that you may have adopted some unhealthy work habits whilst working at home. They may be impacting your health and productivity levels. In this blog we will give you our top 10 tips for staying healthy whilst working from home!

1. Schedule regular breaks

Our first tip for staying healthy while working from home is to schedule regular breaks! When you are working from home without colleagues around, it can be easy to lose track of time and forget to take breaks. Regular short breaks helps you to avoid burnout and helps you stay productive for longer. You may need to experiment to see what works best for you personally. Remember though, not all breaks are effective as others. To get the full benefit, you should completely disconnect from work and your workspace. This may involve going for a walk outside or chatting to your friend on the phone. You can set up reminders on your phone or computer so you don’t forget!

2. Stay hydrated

Getting enough water and staying hydrated is essential for staying healthy. Staying hydrated has also been shown to positively impact your sleep quality, mood and cognition. This BELLABEAT Spring Smart Water Bottle is a great investment if you are trying to increase your water intake. It syncs to an app and lets you set goals and drinking reminders!

3. Plan your meals

Working from home also comes with the temptation of constant snacking, there is no one around to judge us after all! But you may find that unhealthy eating habits have began to take their toll. It is a good idea to plan out your lunch and snacks as if you are going into the office. This will help create healthier eating habits. And if you fancy a snack, try to reach for a piece of fruit or nuts rather than crisps or a chocolate bar. This will make you feel much better in the long run.

4. Plan your tasks

Stress is another big factor that can impact our health whilst working from home. It is good to plan your days tasks in advance if you can. This way you will have structure and feel more organised and productive. You can get a paper planner or buy a wall planner so that you can see exactly what you need to do! This will make sure you stay organised and avoid unnecessary stress.

5. Spruce yourself up

It’s fair to say that a lot of us have gotten into a bad habit of working from home in our pyjamas, sometimes not even bothering to shower or brush our hair in the mornings. It may seem pointless to get ready when you aren’t going anywhere, but hopping in the shower and putting on some nice clothes can make us feel so much better! It can increase our mood and make us feel more productive. You don’t need to go all out, just wear something that makes you feel confident and put together.

6. Remember to exercise

Physical health is another aspect that may have suffered whilst working from home. Even going for a walk during your lunch break can make a difference. Or if you need something more substantial, you could buy some simple home workout equipment. Exercise like yoga can also have very beneficial affects on your mental health. It is recommended to try and clock 30 minutes of activity per day. If you want to track your progress, you could always try a fitness tracker. This Fitbit Charge 4 Fitness Tracker is a great option, allowing you to track your steps and calories, and monitor your heart rate. This is great for motivating you to get fit and healthy.

7. Use a dedicated workspace

It can be tempting just to work from your bed, but this can impact your productivity and hurt your back over time. Even if you don’t have a dedicated room, try to set up a dedicated home office space. This will create a separation between your work life and your home life. You could use your kitchen table if you don’t have a desk. Just make sure you have an ergonomic chair to avoid back pain.

8. Stay connected

Just because you are working from home doesn’t mean you need to feel isolated. Remember to keep connected with colleagues throughout the day. You could also have a quick phone or video call with a friend during your lunch break! Socialising and staying connected with others is great for keeping your mental health in check.

9. Keep your workspace tidy

Having a messy and disorganised workspace is one way to make you feel stressed and bogged down. Take some time to clear your workstation and get things in order. If you have stationary, you should consider a desk tidy to keep things neat. If you have a lot of paperwork then you should have some sort of storage system. A filing cabinet can be a good investment if you have a lot of files and sufficient space. If you don’t have much space you could use a paper tray or shelving solution. A tidy desk is a tidy mind, as they say.

10. Make your workspace ergonomic

Making sure your workspace is ergonomic and comfortable is essential for looking after your health whilst working from home. Firstly, you should make sure you have an ergonomic chair that is comfortable and supports good posture. This will help you avoid aches and pains. Depending on your needs, you could also consider a foot rest or wrist rest. If you find you are getting headaches and straining your eyes to see your screen, you can get an anti-glare screen cover for your computer or laptop.

We hope that you have found this blog helpful and have picked up some tips on how to stay healthy whilst working from home! Let us know in the comments any ideas you’d like to share!

Tags: diet, exercise, fitness, health, healthylifestyle, selfcare, wellness