3 Ways to Stay Active When You Work From Home

Working from home sounds like a pretty sweet deal, doesn’t it? By now, many have enjoyed living without sweaty morning commutes to work, and waking up knowing that their workstation is only a few feet away. Indeed, remote work is beneficial in many ways, however, it can also present several health problems.

The rise in remote work has led to an increase in productivity, as proven by a Stanford study. According to the study, working from home increased productivity by 13 percent. Unfortunately, along with the increase in productivity, many remote workers also experienced a decline in their physical and emotional health.

Addressing the Fitness Issue

Sitting in front of the computer all day without a need to get up sounds nice and all, but it leads to a sedentary life. A person may choose to have a filled water bottle and snack on their desk to avoid getting up until after their shift to save time, but this only promotes an unhealthy way of living!

You may be performing well at work, but have you considered how your body has been faring? When you don’t make an effort to stay active, expect to face several health problems that are worse than a bad back. 

Getting in shape is crucial to having a healthy and happy life! Being productive at work isn’t everything—you also need to prioritize getting in shape to feel good from the inside out.

If you want to learn how to be fitter while working at home, try these tips:

1. Look for Reasons to Move

You don’t have to try hardcore workouts or break up a sweat to stay active. Simply sneaking in extra movement during your workday is enough! For example, you can walk while talking on the phone or go on walking meetings with clients and coworkers.

Walking may not be as physically demanding as lifting weights or running a few laps, but it can improve mood, enhance focus, and stimulate creativity. When you take walks regularly, your work performance and body will thank you!

If you can’t find enough time to move around, consider wearing compression socks. When you wear compression socks while sitting, you can alleviate the strain on your circulatory system and prevent discomfort, fatigue, and swelling.

2. Do Morning Stretches

While making your bed helps start your day right, stretching first thing in the morning prepares your body for what’s to come! Doing easy stretches will relieve tension or pain from sleeping, increase your blood flow, and improve your body posture.

Meanwhile, you can also do a few simple stretches while working. As long as there’s a wall or chair, taking the pressure from your back, hips, shoulders, and neck through stretching is possible. Make sure to stretch throughout the day until just before bed.

3. Stand Up Every Hour

Just because your job demands you to work for at least eight hours doesn’t mean that you’re obligated to stay glued to your chair the whole time. Sitting for a long time may sound pretty harmless, but it actually increases your risk for high blood pressure, heart disease, and obesity.

To keep from forgetting, we suggest setting a timer that prompts you to get up and move for a few minutes at a time. Even a simple act such as getting a glass of water or walking up and down the stairs will boost your energy.

Final Thoughts

Working from home doesn’t give you an excuse to get lazy! To live well, you must invest in your health, regardless of your lifestyle. Of course, practicing self-discipline will be challenging in the beginning, but your body and mind will thank you for it. With consistent exercising, you can work to the best of your abilities while feeling amazing!

Credits: Katie Pierce