While working from home isn’t exactly a new thing, it’s certainly taken off in a big way in the months following the pandemic.
For those who are new to remote working, it’s still important to be sure you’re working as effectively as possible. But what can you do to look after yourself when you oversee your daily office routines?
You might assume that home workers would have it easy but without the constructs such as the lunch hour and the ride home to lock us in, many are liable to overwork themselves or fall into quite damaging habits.
Mental health
For employees that have spent most of their working lives working in an office environment, the shift to working from home can be a pretty jarring one.
Gone are the regular catch ups with colleagues in the kitchen and gone are the spontaneous moments of connection that make our days seem more rewarding.
For remote workers then, employees must take time out to contact their colleagues or friends and feel that human connection for the sake of their mental health.
Physical health
Of course, if we’re sitting at a desk all day, we are not exactly going to be burning calories.
With remote work, there is less incentive to be active so break out of the habit and take a break every day to go for a walk or jump on the treadmill for half an hour. Even investing in a standing desk could be one way around the sedentary lifestyle.
Eyestrain
One of the most pressing issues for those working remotely is eyestrain. According to eyesight and contact lenses specialists Lenstore, too much screen time can have a significant impact on our eyes.
They share: “The reduced amount of blinking can cause our eyes to dry out and become tired quicker. It’s best to take regular breaks to look at things that are further away – a great approach is the 20-20-20 rule.
Every 20 minutes, take 20 seconds to look at something 20 feet or more away.” Small changes like this, as well as ensuring your sitting position is comfortable and not too close to your screen, can make a difference to your eye health.
Work/life balance
Switching off after a day of working from home can be incredibly difficult. It’s even more difficult if your home and workplace are the same.
Give yourself a dedicated workspace – don’t try and work on your sofa – you’ll end up hurting yourself by sitting in an uncomfortable position and damaging not only your wrists but your back too.
Not only that but by physically separating your work and home spaces you can effectively shut out your work life the moment you close your office door. And that’s a compelling thing.
Jean Smith is a fitness enthusiast and blogger who focuses on fitness and a healthy lifestyle. She is passionate about assisting people in living healthier lifestyles and is constantly on the lookout for new and creative methods to stay fit and healthy. Her articles are excellent resources for anyone interested in improving their health and fitness.