It looks like working from home is the new normal moving into 2021. According to Upwork’s “Future of Workforce Pulse Report,” 41.8% of Americans will continue to work remotely this year. Although some companies are slowly transitioning their employees back into the office, remote work opportunities are estimated to double in the next five years. If you find yourself still working from your dining room table or burning the midnight oil, here’s a refresher on some work from home health tips to get you back on the right track.
Create a Designated Workspace
If you’ve been working from your kitchen island or taking Zoom calls on your couch since March of 2020, now might be a good time to embrace your new reality and create a designated workspace for yourself. As hard as it might be to justify purchasing a desk, or finding the space to put it, you’re going to thank yourself when you do. Sitting down at a workspace that is intended for just that will send a signal to your brain that it’s time to get down to business. It’s okay to catch up on some emails in other rooms from time-to-time, but try not to make a habit of it. Keeping your work separate from where you relax will make it easier to wind down each night and keep you refreshed for your next workday.
Stick to a Routine
Now that your commute is shorter than ever, it might be enticing to hit the snooze button a few times before finally getting out of bed. As tempting as it might be, try sticking to a routine similar to when you went into a physical office every day. Wake up at a reasonable hour, shower, put on real clothes, and eat breakfast. Getting ready for the day sets you up for success and gets you in the right mindset to work. Be sure to carve out time to eat, take breaks, and try to have a firm stop time. It can be easy to find yourself working well into the night, but in order to keep a healthy work-life balance, know when it’s time to put the work down and enjoy some relaxation and quality time with family and friends.
Give Yourself a Break
It’s good to step away from the computer every so often. Use this time to stretch, blink your eyes, grab a snack, or maybe even pick up that prescription at the pharmacy you’ve been putting off. You now have the luxury of autonomy. Finding time to run a quick errand in between meetings and projects isn’t hard to do anymore. It affords you a nice break and helps ease stress and anxiety. Set yourself a reminder if you have to – your mind and work will thank you.
Get Some Exercise
Sitting in one place for too long isn’t healthy. Utilize the time you used to waste commuting to work and hit the gym, catch a yoga class, or give the dog a walk around the block. It doesn’t have to be much, but getting in some form of exercise has been known to increase immune function and helps to clear your head and approach work with a fresh perspective. Oh, and don’t forget to stay hydrated!
Whether you’re brand new to working from home, or you’ve been doing it for a while, it’s always nice to have a little refresher. It might not be rocket science, but these simple reminders can make a huge difference in your productivity and your well-being. What other WFH health tips do you have? Be sure to tell us over on our Instagram or Facebook page!