How I stay productive and healthy during home office

Hi,

Covid19 and the lockdown hit us really hard and has made workplace more challenging than we could anticipate. While for some home office has it’s perks, for others it has some daunting effect on health and work-life-balance. By now most of us thought things would be back to where it used to be. But it seems like home office or at least hybrid work is here to stay

In this article I’ll share 6 tips of how you can stay fit even when working at home.

1. Simulate that you go to work
   Dress up like you normally would. Then go out of your house. Walk around your house and then go back to your house and start working. This will trick your mind that you are going to your actual office to work. It also gets your blood flowing and you’ll be more active when you start working.

2. Take breaks
   When there’s a lunch break go to lunch. Don’t work through the breaks and postpone your meals. Otherwise this will have detrimental effects on your body — especially if you are a little older like me. Also make small breaks once in a while during work. It’s important to take breaks throughout the day to recharge and refocus. This can be as simple as getting up to stretch or going for a short walk.

3. Take care of yourself
   Working from home can be demanding, so it’s important to take care of yourself. Make sure to eat healthy meals, get regular exercise, and get enough sleep. You probably sit longer than usual. So, it’s important to stretch your body. This will help you stay focused and productive.

4. Create a dedicated place for you to work
   Those with small rooms decorate your table. At least make it distinguishable between work and normal life. Choose a quiet, clutter-free space in your home to serve as your office. Having a dedicated workspace can help you stay focused and avoid distractions.

5. Log out
   I found out I worked more when being in home office. Because there is only a short distance to my workplace. Even when work is done and dinner is ready, I would constantly think about work, because it’s so close. So, my advice is, once your daily work is done, log out. Log out also mentally. Don’t think of work, once work is done.

6. Stay connected with others
   Working from home can sometimes feel isolating, so it’s important to stay connected with your colleagues. Use video conferencing tools to have regular meetings, and make sure to communicate regularly through email or instant messaging. Even if you are an introvert (like me), stay connected. Inform yourself about the latest information in your organisation. Set up an appointment at lunch to video chat. It helps you not only to keep in touch with your co workers but with your work so you won’t become detached from it. Maybe even schedule a meeting with one of them once in a while (but bear the personal distance in mind)

What has been your experince with working from home? Do you have any tips that made your life easier when working from home? Please share and comment below.