There are many benefits to working from home, especially if you’re also able to enjoy flexible working hours, but that doesn’t mean it’s all one hundred percent perfect, and one issue that people tend to come up against is their health. Whereas in the past you would leave the house and go to a place of work, so you would be getting some exercise and fresh air, meeting other people, and so on, now you might be at home all day by yourself without moving around much and eating snacks instead of proper food.
That’s why it’s crucial to determine exactly how to stay healthy even if you are working from home – there really should be no excuses. One thing that’s absolutely non-negotiable is that you’ll need to take plenty of breaks through the day, and if you can also do something extra on those breaks to boost your health that little bit more, why wouldn’t you? With that in mind, here are some of the healthy things to do on a break when you work from home.
Go for a Walk
Walking – ideally at a brisk pace to increase your heart rate, but anything is better than nothing – is a great option if you’re looking for something to do in your break away from your desk and screens. Walking is good exercise that isn’t too strenuous, and it also means you go outside, which means breathing in fresh air and enjoying nature – both of which are good for your physical and mental health.
You don’t have to go far on your break, especially if you don’t have a lot of time, and where you choose to head to is up to you, and will often depend on your location. You might be able to take a walk to a local park or woodlands, for example, or it might be best just to take a quick stroll around your garden. Whatever you choose, going for a walk when you have the chance will wake you up, give you more energy, and boost your health, so it’s a great option.
Eat Something
How well do you eat when you’re working from home? Do you take the time to prepare a healthy breakfast, lunch, and dinner, or do you snack throughout the day, eating unhealthy things just to see you through until your work is done? The former is obviously the better option, but it does take a lot of time and effort, whereas eating junk food is quicker and simpler, so you’ll be able to do more of your work.
The truth is, neither is ideal when you’re working from home, but there is a good option that meets you in the middle. The best thing to do is to have a good, healthy breakfast (you might even consider preparing it the night before so you can save time in the morning), then a mid-morning snack, a light lunch (sandwiches and soups are perfect), before a mid-afternoon snack, and then a healthy dinner which, if you’ve eaten healthily through the day, you’ll have the energy to prepare.
When you take your breaks, you can enjoy a nice snack and even add an omega-3 supplement to make things even healthier, but you can also take a little time to get your evening meal ready. Why not use some of your break to chop up vegetables or make a sauce or perhaps marinate some meat? The more prepared you are, the more likely it is you’ll eat a good meal and not opt for takeout or something unhealthy from the freezer or microwave.
Speak to Friends
If there’s one big issue with working from home, it’s that you won’t get the same social interaction as you would if you were working in an office or other external workplace – some days, you might not speak to anyone at all, and even if you’re an introvert, that’s not great for your mental health.
That’s why it can be a good idea to use your breaks to connect to family and friends. Have a 10-minute catch-up or send a text to check in with those you haven’t heard from in a while. If you’ve got a bit more time because you work flexibly, you could even combine taking a walk with meeting up with someone for lunch or a mid-afternoon coffee, for example. Whatever you do, however you do it, interacting with others and socializing just a little will put you in a better mood and keep your mental health on track, so it’s a good idea to do it when you can.