Transitioning from your active more physical office job to docile more flexible remote one could mean a lot more than working round the clock and spending more time with your family.
Working remotely means you spend more time at your desk and less time moving around in general. With the majority of the world's population shut indoors all day every day, and over 50% of service-based businesses going remote, it’s become that much harder to maintain healthy habits and keep fit.
Unless you have some experience with working remotely, adjusting to the new work atmosphere could pose quite the challenge. Having a fully stocked refrigerator a few rooms away while you’re working on adapting to a new workflow can compromise even the most devout fitness enthusiasts.
Here a few helpful tips that can help you stay fit, healthy and focused while you work from home.
Set up a separate office
While you work from home, you should set up an isolated room designated only for work. Using your bedroom, living room or even dining room can create conflicting ideas of what your ideal work environment should look and function like. The dining room has a refrigerator and your pantry just within reach and should only be used to eat and prepare meals. The living room should be for unwinding, and the bedroom should be for sleeping. Getting some distance away from distractions will reduce the probability of cheating on your diet, impulsive snacking.
Invest in good furniture
A great ergonomic working chair with fantastic lumbar support is its own reward. It will not only keep you comfortable all day, but it will also help you maintain a healthy posture and prevent back pain.
Set a routine while you work from home
While it may be true that flexibility is the biggest advantage of working remote, too much flexibility could do more harm than good. Without a proper schedule to keep you grounded, focused and consistent with your habit and tasks, it will be hard to achieve short and long-term professional, fitness and health goals.
Create a customized fitness plan and a schedule to help you keep track of your progress
Working remotely doesn't give you an excuse to slack off on your fitness and achieve mediocre results. If you plan to stay at home long-term without going outside much, set up a diet plan, prepare your meals beforehand so that you're less likely to snack and follow a workout routine that you are comfortable with. With fitness, it's important to experiment and see what works and what doesn't. Don't be afraid to fail; just remember that it’s all part of the process.
Social interaction is key
If you live alone during isolation, it can be hard to stay positive, driven and focused. Try to call, and talk to your friend every once in a while. This will help you remain physically and mentally healthy.
Educate yourself
See staying at home as an opportunity to broaden your horizons. Read books, listen to a podcast and take the time to educate yourself and improve in your chosen field. With more knowledge and experience, you will work and feel better.
With a well thought out schedule and good working habits, it’s not only possible to keep fit, but you can also push the limit and get better results in all aspects of your life.
Torsi is a professional blogger.