Working from home can come with its share of challenges. Staying invigorated and motivated is one, but you might be surprised at the toll it can take on your health if you let it. After all, a lot of working from home involves spending the day sitting at your desk, which isn’t good for anyone. Here are some tips to help you address the problems that can come with it.
Take ergonomics seriously
When you’re creating a home office, you have to think about not just your practical needs in terms of what you require to get productive, but how your setup affects your health as well. Ergonomic furniture choices are a must, including a chair that offers a real arm, back, and neck support. You should try to make sure that you’re not reaching up too far to type, and that the tops of your monitors are at eye level so that you’re not craning your neck, either. Otherwise, it can increase the chances of all kinds of musculoskeletal injuries.
Be mindful of inflammation
Even if you do have your ergonomics all worked out, sitting down for long periods of time is going to put some level of stress on your lower back, as well as joints like your knees. This can lead to issues with inflammation, leaving you feeling stiff and sore. Stretching at some points throughout the day can be a huge help, and there’s evidence to suggest that CBD can be great for reducing the body’s inflammatory response, too. A healthier diet, including things like berries more often, can also reduce these symptoms. Most important of all, however, is the next time.
Make sure you get moving
The physical and mental benefits of exercise should not be underestimated. If you’re saving time because you no longer have to commute, you should consider using it more productively for exercise instead. This might mean taking a walk through the area or even using an exercise app to do some quick workouts at home. The more time you can spend moving on your feet while working, the better it is for you, too. If you have to take or make phone calls, try pacing as you do it, or take regular breaks for a set of bodyweight exercises.
Stay hydrated and take lunch
A lot of people tend to try and speed through work when they’re doing at home, so that they can enjoy more time off. However, in this rush to get everything done, a lot of people will neglect their need for hydration. This can end up making you feel a lot worse, and if you experience headaches during or after work, this may well be why. It’s important to make yourself a healthy lunch, as well, to help fuel you through the latter part of your work day.
When you’re working from home, you are the one in charge of taking care of your health. Hopefully, the tips show you a few ways that you can do just that.
