Working from home may appear to be a dream — skipping rush hour and accepting calls from the couch – but it can easily lead to a sedentary lifestyle. Even if you work from home, staying active is vital for your physical and mental health. It might take some creativity and self-control. To help you started, here are some pointers:
Create a workstation that will allow you to be more active.
For starters, invest in a sturdy desk that can be modified to allow you to work either seated or standing. Make sure that all of your office equipment is in good working order, such as monitors with the best dual monitor arm and office chairs that can be readily adjusted or moved.
Every hour, get up
Long periods of inactive behavior are harmful to your health. Even if you’ve completed your daily exercise program, sitting at a desk for long periods of time raises your risk of heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, obesity, and high blood pressure. What is the solution? Set a timer for every hour to remind you to get up and move for a few minutes. Many smartwatches and applications can be set to ring every hour or prompt you if you haven’t walked enough steps. Get up and fetch a healthy snack, walk up and down the stairs, or even perform some short jumping jacks when the alarm goes off to get your heart pounding and your energy up.
Make a workout schedule
To begin, keep to a schedule that includes your daily workout. Building exercise into your daily planner will help you remain on track, whether it’s an early morning workout to get the blood flowing or a post-work stroll on the treadmill.
Include some extra movement in your routine.
Look for opportunities to get up and move during your workday. While you’re on the phone, stand up and walk through each room in your house for five minutes every hour. Walking has been proven to improve mood, creativity, and focus, making it a win-win situation for your health and productivity.
Make the switch to digital
There’s something for everyone and every ability level on YouTube and smartphone applications, from yoga and Pilates to kickboxing and jazzercise. The best part is that many of the routines are completely free. You could even get creative and form a FaceTime or Skype workout group with a couple of pals or coworkers. Simply choose a time, dial in, and work out “together” from the comfort of your own home.
You don’t have any sophisticated gym equipment at home? It’s no problem. Sit-ups, push-ups, yoga, and a variety of other exercises may all be done without any equipment. All you need for walking (or running) is a pair of sneakers. If you’re just getting started with strength training, basic household things like a bag of sugar, a can of soup, or a container of laundry detergent can be utilized as weights.