How to Maintain a Healthy Work From Home Lifestyle
More people than ever started working from home this past year, and it seems remote work is here to stay. While remote work has many benefits, it can be difficult to maintain a healthy lifestyle being at home so often. Luckily, there are several ways to stay healthy at home. Here are a few tips to get you started.
Maintain a Healthy Diet
Having a healthy diet is essential for achieving fitness goals, but it can also boost your mood and give you more energy. Granted, it can be easy to rely on fast food or quick, microwavable meals for lunch while you’re at work. Now that you’re working from the comfort of your home, you have the flexibility to cook healthier meals for yourself.
Even if you have a busy schedule working remotely, you can still meal prep nutritious breakfasts and lunches so you aren’t tempted to indulge in unhealthy snacks. If you have a more relaxed schedule, you can also try making fresh, healthy dishes each day.
Whatever option you choose, try to avoid processed foods and rely more on fresh ingredients. Generally, it’s wise to incorporate protein, fruit, vegetables, and whole grains in your diet. Also, make sure to stay hydrated and try to drink 11-15 cups of water per day.
Move During the Workday
A big challenge of working from home is the sedentary lifestyle that comes with it. Without a commute, you’re missing out on the light activity from walking through the parking lot and around your workplace. That said, it’s even more important to incorporate some form of physical activity into your workday at home.
When you have free time, try to stretch or do a few strength and core exercises like sit ups or pushups to get your blood flowing. Even if your day is full of meetings, you can walk around your house during calls to get you moving and out of your chair. If you’re sick of sitting at your desk for eight hours, you may want to consider investing in a standing desk, or even attempt to do some reading or research while walking on a treadmill.
You don’t have to do a full blown workout during the workday, but you should try to fit in some physical activity to maintain a healthy lifestyle and prevent any long term health issues. Luckily, you can set a reminder to do these tasks on your phone or smartwatch so you don’t forget.
Create a Consistent Workout Routine
Working from home can be a tough transition, but it also gives you the benefit of a flexible schedule, so use this to your advantage! Exercise is important for your body’s overall health and mental health, so plan some workouts ahead of time to maintain a healthy lifestyle and work life balance.
Try to dedicate at least one hour a day for some form of exercise and get outside as much as you can. This could be as simple as walking around your neighborhood or doing yoga in your backyard for some fresh air.
Even if you’re stuck at home or simply don’t want to leave, there are several options for at-home workouts. Especially because of the pandemic, many companies offer home workout programs, and you can find a large variety of different online workout videos on Youtube ranging from HIIT, strength training, cardio, and more.
If these options aren’t challenging enough, you can also create a home gym to get the ultimate workout experience. Here you have the flexibility to buy whatever exercise equipment you need and can get your own weights, treadmill, ab machine, and more. The options are limitless!
This may seem like a big project, but a home gym can be a worthwhile investment if you’re permanently working from home, and it can significantly boost your home’s value. Consider using your home's equity for extra funding if you want to make larger, more permanent renovations. This type of loan gives you the money in one lump sum, and usually has a lower interest rate than personal loans or credit cards.
Working from home can be challenging when it comes to your health, but the combination of a healthy diet and consistent exercise will put you on the right path for fitness success. Be creative and try to find small ways to move throughout your workday and your body will thank you.