Working from home has become increasingly popular, even after the pandemic. There’s no commute, your workspace is comfortable, and you can be home for the kids if need be.
But being comfortable can lead to becoming sedentary, and employees can find themselves sat in the same spot for hours without meetings or colleagues to walk around once in a while.
So, to help you maintain a healthy lifestyle while still getting work done, we’ve put together 5 ways to stay active and avoid inactivity while working from home:
- Make a move at your desk
Tearing yourself away from work might seem impossible at times, which is why moving at your desk can be a good alternative. For five minutes each hour, turn off your screen and silence your phone to avoid distraction, and complete some simple desk exercises.
These could include arm wraps, shoulder rolls, head twists, and calf raises to release tension and keep your blood flowing. If you tend to get sucked into the zone while working, you could set an alarm on your phone to remind yourself to move.
- Get walking
Despite the desire to work hard, taking some time away from your desk can be extremely beneficial. A change of scenery can keep your brain alert, and a breath of fresh air can even aid your mental health.
But while it would be nice to go for a stroll in your local green space, sometimes we simply don’t have the time. If that’s the case, why not invest in a folding treadmill? They don’t have to be fancy or extremely costly, with a manual treadmill costing as little as £75.99.
Studies have found that going for a walk can boost your energy and aid in creative thinking, and utilising a treadmill means you can take a hike no matter what the weatherman says.
You could even take calls while you’re on the move, resulting in feeling productive, while still hitting your daily step goal.
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- Keep some equipment nearby
While we’re on the topic of treadmills, you could also consider keeping other equipment nearby to help you with your desk exercises. If you want something more intense than turning your head or stretching your arms, it’s helpful to leave hand weights, good quality resistance bands for exercise are a must, and exercise mats nearby.
If you want to take it one step further, leave them in your way, so that when you take a break, you can squeeze in some repetitions as a way to break up the day before clearing away the clutter.
- Make your workspace awkward
You don’t have to dedicate hours of your week to exercise. There are other ways to make a move, it just takes a bit of thought and planning.
We’re so used to making things easier and more streamlined, especially while working, in order to be more productive. But taking this approach at home can result in long periods of not moving when everything is at your fingertips.
Changing the physical set up of your home office (and making it more awkward) can get you moving more frequently. This could include:
- Move your printer further away
- Put your phone in another room
- Put your glass of water in another room
- Schedule breaks in your calendar
We’ve mentioned setting alarms on your phone to remind you to move, but since you’re looking at your computer, why not block out some time in your calendar, just as you would with a meeting.
Virtual working can make people feel guilty, concerned that their peers might think they’re not working as hard as they would in the office. If you add some breaks to your calendar, your colleagues will know when you’re busy, leaving you time to enjoy a break away from your desk.
Use these breaks to take a quick walk or hop on your treadmill, eat a healthy snack, or just clear your mind of any stress you’ve experienced so far. This can help you break ruts and overexertion, which can diminish energy later in the day.
Conclusion
Productivity, health, and job satisfaction are all tied to fitness and wellness habits.
Staying physically active helps to keep your mind alert and sharp, and exercise can help your brain to grow. It can relieve stress, and the list of benefits, both physical and mental, goes on for miles.
Working from home can be more comfortable, but there are plenty of opportunities to stay active and even sneak in a workout to switch up your routine and increase your productivity levels.
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