It has been nearly 18 months since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result of the continuing health crisis, many businesses have shifted to an online workforce. While some of these workers have returned to an office setting, other organizations have made the move to make online work permanent. If you are now working at home permanently, it is important that you are proactive about taking care of your health. Here are five ways to make this happen.
Establish a Routine
If you have not established a routine in your workday at home, now is the time to do so. Keeping a regular routine will help both your physical body and your mind to adjust to this new way of working.
Having a structure to your day will help you to remain focused, supporting your efforts to be successful in this endeavor. It is also a good idea to set boundaries with the others in your home so that they know when you should not be interrupted. Successful telecommuters are also good at creating a separation between the end of the workday and their leisure time. Your health will suffer if you are not able to create these boundaries.
Protect Your Physical Health with the Right Office Equipment
It can be tempting to try to skimp on your home office equipment. However, not having the proper workspace setup can lead to a number of ill health effects. Start with ensuring that you have a comfortable office chair that will help to avoid neck and back pain.
Another good investment is a pair of blue light blocking glasses to protect your eyes from strain and potential migraines. This specialty pair of glasses will also help to improve your sleep patterns. When looking for the best blue light block glasses, be sure to look for a comfortable fit.
Nourish Your Body
One of the biggest benefits of working from home is that you have convenient access to your own kitchen. This allows you to prepare nearly any food that you want for breakfast, lunch, and snacks.
Rather than being forced to pack a brown bag lunch or grab lunch out at a restaurant when you work in a traditional setting, you can take advantage of being at home by preparing meals that are better for your health. If you are short on time during your workday, use the weekends or evening hours to prepare meals and easy grab-and-go snacks to keep on hand. Be sure to also drink plenty of water throughout the day.
Get Up and Move
Another advantage of working at home is that you likely have more flexibility to fit in physical exercise during your workday. Leverage this flexibility by setting up a regular physical fitness routine.
Depending on your work schedule, you may want to use this flexibility to grab a workout in the morning, try to fit it in during your lunch break, or take off a little early to get it done. Not having to shower and get yourself ready again to face others in person will make it much easier to reach all of your fitness goals. These exercise breaks will also provide you a mental boost and help you to avoid the monotony that often comes with working from home.
Be Intentional About Being Social
One of the biggest drawbacks of working from home is that you are removed from the social interaction that comes in an office setting. The absence of these connection opportunities can take a toll on your emotional and mental health if you are not intentional about being social.
There are a number of ways that you can support this intention. If your colleagues live near, consider setting up regular lunch outings or happy hours so that you can connect in person. You may also want to set up Zoom happy hours or other social events that bring your team together to connect in ways outside of the work environment. All of these initiatives will work together to increase your job satisfaction, promoting mental and emotional health in the process.
Following these five tips will ensure that you are doing what you need to do to protect your health when working in an unconventional setting.
