The pandemic may be over, but millions are still working from home by choice. You don’t have to wake up super early to catch a bus or sit in traffic. You can even work in your pajamas if you want to! But there’s one problem — it’s easy to become less active. When your home is your office, you might find yourself sitting at your desk for hours without moving much. This isn’t great for your health.
So, how can you stay active while working from home? Here are some easy tips:
- Take Breaks to Move: Try to take a short break every hour. Stand up, stretch, or walk around your house. This helps your body and gives your brain a little rest.
- Use a Standing Desk: If you can, try using a standing desk. This is a desk that, well, lets you work while standing up. Standing while you work can burn more calories than sitting and can help you avoid lower back pain that comes with sitting for long periods of time. If you don’t have a standing desk, try putting your computer or monitor on a higher table or counter.
- Do Desk Exercises: There are exercises you can do right at your desk! Try chair squats, desk push-ups, or seated leg raises. You can find more videos online that show you how to do these.
- Walk and Talk: If you have a phone meeting — assuming you’re not using your camera in Zoom or Teams, try walking around while you talk. This is a great way to get moving without stopping your work.
- Have a Lunchtime Workout: Use your lunch break to get active. You could do a quick workout, go for a walk or even dance to songs you love.
- Drink Plenty of Water: Drinking water is good for you, and it’ll also make you get up more to the bathroom. Keep a water bottle at your desk to remind you to drink throughout the day.
Remember, staying active is important for your health. So, even though you’re working from home, make sure you keep moving! How do you stay active when you work from home? Share your tips and ideas with the Shop Talk community!
Did you know? Let there be light
Natural light can boost your mood and productivity. If you set up your workspace near a window, the natural light can help regulate your sleep-wake cycle, improve your mood, and even help you focus better.