Healthy Habits to Get Into if You Work From Home

Working from home comes with plenty of perks, but it can also lead to an unhealthy lifestyle if you're not careful. Between sitting down all day, being stuck indoors without much human interaction, and the temptation to skip regular exercise, there are many aspects of remote work that people often overlook. Before you start letting any of these destructive behaviors sink into your daily routine, we've listed 7 healthy habits you can adopt instead. This way, you'll be fully prepared when you leave office life behind and bring work into your own humble abode.

Make a Schedule That Works for You

There's a reason you have a schedule when you're in the workplace, so everything gets done before it's time to head home. It shouldn't be any different when you're working remotely, but some people tend to fall into the trap of not setting any routine because they think they have all the freedom in the world. Everyone's schedule will look a little different, but some key things to establish should be when you wake up every day, your breaks, and the time your computer gets turned off. If you can stick to that, you've made great progress already.

Take Breaks Regularly, but Don’t Neglect Your Work

Sitting staring at a screen for hours on end isn't good for your eyes. They can only take so much light before your vision starts getting severely impacted. Be sure to give yourself plenty of breaks across every shift. Maybe every hour or so, try to walk around your room, make coffee, or step outside for some fresh air. That will give your eyes a much-needed rest and allow you to refocus when you return to your desk without straining them too much.

Get Your Body Moving

It’s not natural for your body to remain in one position for long periods of time. Eventually, your muscles will start to cramp up, and you could injure yourself, potentially sidelining you from work altogether. It's widely known that sitting for prolonged periods can lead to serious issues, like herniated discs; if that happens, you’ll certainly know all about it. To avoid this from happening, make a point to stand up and move around every 30 minutes to an hour. Whether it’s running on the spot, doing some simple stretches, or simply walking up and down the stairs, keep that body of yours moving.

Draw a Line Between Work and Other Areas of Your Life

As you work from home, separating your work life from your personal life can be difficult. With your computer always within reach, it often feels like you can never truly escape your daily responsibilities. A quick ping on your phone from your boss, asking you to complete one small task, can quickly turn into a two-hour job, eating into your personal time. Setting a clear cut-off point from day one of your remote work life is important. Decide that you won’t work past a certain hour and stick to it. Don't break this rule because if you do, you’ll find it hard to cut off from the cycle, and you'll never have time for yourself.

Spend Some Money on a Good Set-up

If your remote working arrangement with your employer is a serious one, it's essential to invest in a solid set-up. Without your boss looking over your shoulder to see how your office is looking, you now have the freedom to design your space to suit your needs. Establish a roomy workspace with plenty of natural light flooding in so it doesn't feel as if you're sitting in the dark all the time. Try to choose a quiet area of your home, away from distractions like other family members or the TV; it's easier to get sidetracked than you think. All functional remote workings set-ups should include a comfortable chair that will support your back when sitting for extended periods, as well as a spacious desk for all your equipment and computer. Don’t overlook the idea of a standing desk either; it’s a great option for when you need a break from sitting and want to be on your feet for a while.

Put Away the Phone

Oh, the mobile phone; now that you're working from home, there's nobody there to tell you off because you're scrolling through Facebook or Instagram. Unfortunately, that two-minute scroll can sometimes lead to half an hour, which will cut into your working time, and you'll end up having to stay awake all night to catch up if you let it take over. During work hours, a good strategy is to put your phone in a drawer in a separate room so it's fully out of arm's reach. If you leave it sitting there beside you, eventually, you'll get a message in your inbox, and before you know it, you'll have picked it up and be stuck to it for longer than you wished.

Meet Up With Your Colleagues Outside of Work Hours

Being at home all the time can make you feel really isolated; it's just you in a big old house without anyone to talk to. So that you keep your bonds strong with the colleagues you've met, try to arrange meet-ups outside of work hours. Organize little coffee mornings on the weekends, plan some days out to do some fun activities, or invite them over to your home. Obviously, you're not going to be super friendly with everyone you work with, but for those people you made meaningful friendships with on your roster, you shouldn't let their relationships go to waste.

Create Your Ideal Workspace at Home With These Healthy Habits

Transitioning to working from home isn't always easy. It's a completely new way of working, and without careful planning from the start, you may fall into some destructive behaviors. But rather than allowing poor actions to be a part of your new move from the outset, start including some of these healthy instead.