5 practical tips to stay healthy working from home – Thrive Global
Working from home (or, indeed, Anywhere) is no longer a niche business practice. In fact, telecommuting has grown 115% in the past decade. To anyone already working outside the office, this will come as no surprise. A recent FlexJobs survey revealed that 90% of people working Anywhere plan to continue to do so for the rest of their careers.
The benefits to employees are well-known. 65% of workers stated they would be more productive in a home office than in a traditional office space. And thats not just wishful thinking; of those already working from home, 75% say they are more productive now than when they worked onsite at a company.
But those benefits come with new responsibilities. Working outside the traditional office environment requires creating a safe, comfortable workspace. Staying healthy within that workspace, however, can be challenging. Thats why weve put together our top five tips on staying healthy when working from home.
Keeping fit and working from home are by no means mutually exclusive. In fact, flexible working can free you up to pursue an exercise plan that you wouldnt otherwise have time for.
Try to develop a sensible, safe exercise regime you can follow in your home. There are hundreds of five-minute workout sessions available online to keep you fit during work breaks.
Exercise doesnt have to be particularly physical; it could be as simple as taking a walk around your local park. The key focus is to keep routines safe, achievable and manageable. Short exercise breaks also help break up the day, creating a healthy balance between physical and mental activity.
Of course, the benefits of staying healthy working Anywhere extend beyond the team. A recent study by the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that running 15 minutes a day or walking for an hour reduces the risk of depression by 26%. Leaders also gain from the increased happiness and productivity that comes from employees in good physical and mental health.
Without going into the several small meals vs breakfast/lunch/dinner debate, its vital to maintain a healthy diet when working from home. Our diet plays a significant role in our mental and physical health.
Keep food separate from your workspace to avoid snacking throughout the day. The trick is to make eating a conscious aspect of your daily routine. That means assigning pre-designated times for meals and sticking to them. The same goes for staying hydrated. Keep a bottle of water by your workspace at all times and remember to top it up throughout the day.
Of course, team leaders cant dictate what their team eat. When your team works from home, all you can do is promote the virtues of a healthy, balanced diet. And its in both the interest of the individual and the business. In fact, a study by the British Journal of Health Psychology found that people who eat 5 portions of fruit and vegetables 4 days a week show 25% higher job performance than those who do not.
So, youve got your diet and your exercise routine down. Now its time to make sure your workspace is safe. That means removing trip hazards, ensuring your work area is well-lit and verifying all devices are powered safely.
Safety isnt limited to protecting yourself from immediate danger. Its also important to ensure your workspace and equipment are ergonomic. For instance, is your computer at a comfortable height? Does your chair provide proper lumbar support? It might seem like a minor inconvenience now, but it could develop into a long-term health issue if left unchecked.
For team leaders, ensuring the safety of your team when they work Anywhere comes down to one thing: education. Establishing the best practices for safe workspaces fosters trust and creates a more relaxed atmosphere. In turn, this enables people to focus on working to the best of their abilities. This also reduces the risk of physical injury or impairment, meaning less time off.
Buffer, a fully-distributed team, published a report last year into employee attitudes to working from home. 21% of those surveyed say the biggest challenges are collaborating, communicating and finding company.
So how do you stay connected without a centralised shared office? Setting aside time to leave your home workspace is essential. Even taking your laptop to a nearby cafe can be enough to mix up your work environment and interact with new people.
Its not always possible to interact with new people in person. But, with the right collaboration tools, you can work from home and engage with people across the world, without the carbon footprint. These meet-ups are essential to team cohesion, but more importantly, they decrease isolation.
To that end, consider pairing up team members in a buddy system. Employees can check in on each other, while employers enjoy improved team communication and happier, healthier employees.
A recent survey by Premiere Global Services, Inc. of their telecommuters found that 82% reported lower stress levels when working from home. But thats only when employees have a clear idea of whats expected of them.
Working from home can blur the lines between work time and leisure time, so its vital you establish boundaries before starting work. This way, you have clear time frames in which you know you should be at your computer. Simultaneously, you have a clearer definition of me-time in which to relax.
Team leaders must recognise the boundaries between work and leisure time. Sending an email at 11 pm to request work (unless agreed in advance) infringes on other teammates personal time. By blurring the boundary between work and leisure, you also risk encouraging the view that working hours are optional; something that invariably leads to missed deadlines and inefficient time management.
This article originally appeared in AnywhereWorks.
Originally posted here:
5 practical tips to stay healthy working from home - Thrive Global
- Gluten: What You Dont Know Might Kill You [Last Updated On: May 6th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 6th, 2011]
- How to lose weight fast diet: best ways quick easy healthy [Last Updated On: May 7th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 7th, 2011]
- Nutrition Tips for Healthy Living : How to Do a 30-Day Wedding Diet [Last Updated On: May 7th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 7th, 2011]
- Raw Food Dog.MOV [Last Updated On: May 10th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 10th, 2011]
- Boxing Workouts for Kids : Teaching Kids How to Use Punching Bags [Last Updated On: May 19th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 19th, 2011]
- Boxing Workouts for Kids : Teaching Kids about Angling in Boxing [Last Updated On: May 20th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2011]
- 500 Calorie Diet- Safely Use a 500 Calorie Diet [Last Updated On: July 25th, 2011] [Originally Added On: July 25th, 2011]
- Cholesterol Healthy Diet : How to Safely Raise HDL Cholesterol [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2011]
- Healthy Eating Guidelines : How to Use Diet Pills Safely [Last Updated On: September 8th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 8th, 2011]
- Lose Up To 10 Pounds Quick and Safe: Hollywood 48-Hour Miracle Diet [Last Updated On: September 9th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 9th, 2011]
- How To Lose 5 kgs In A Week Safely with this diet program? [Last Updated On: September 10th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 10th, 2011]
- The Diet Solution Weight Loss Program-How To Lose Weight Fast And Easily And Safely.flv [Last Updated On: September 13th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 13th, 2011]
- Diet Tips - Lose Weight Safely - The Lunch Box Diet [Last Updated On: September 14th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 14th, 2011]
- Whole Foods Installs Eco-Safe Ozonated Water Sanitization Technology [Last Updated On: September 15th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 15th, 2011]
- 29 Fad Diets You Should Avoid [Last Updated On: September 16th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 16th, 2011]
- How to Lose Weight Safely | The Diet Solution Program [Last Updated On: September 17th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 17th, 2011]
- Doctors Quick Weight Loss Sarasota - the hCG Diet for fast, easy, safe weight loss [Last Updated On: September 17th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 17th, 2011]
- The Diet Solution Meal Plans For Diet - Do Carbs make you Fat? [Last Updated On: September 20th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 20th, 2011]
- The Diet Solution Program Best Foods For Diet - Protein Burn Fat [Last Updated On: September 25th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 25th, 2011]
- LSD Gave Me My Ego - Safe use of drugs in Spiritual Practice [Last Updated On: September 26th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 26th, 2011]
- Diet [Last Updated On: September 26th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 26th, 2011]
- The Diet Solution Best Foods For Diet - Truth About Sat Fats [Last Updated On: September 30th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 30th, 2011]
- Is it safe to purchase HCG online? I see lots of ads offering HCG at real low prices. [Last Updated On: September 30th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 30th, 2011]
- Cheating safely on your diet-Cruisin' in my 64 Galaxie [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2011]
- Miss Universe Introduces Coffee Slender [Last Updated On: October 2nd, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 2nd, 2011]
- Coffee Slender with Miss Universe Part 1 [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2011]
- HCG Diet - 30 Day Weight Loss Program - Lose 30 Pounds Safely w/o Injections - Fast Weight Loss Plan [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2011]
- Improve Your Health : How to Cleanse the Body of Toxins Through Diet [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2011]
- The UltraSimple Diet: Kick-Start Your Metabolism and Safely [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2011]
- Utah HCG - Can't I lose weight without using HCG diet drops? [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2011]
- Is the hCG Diet Safe and How Does it Affect You? [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2011]
- "Food Allergies and Autism" Real Look Autism [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2011]
- Heartburn, Reflux, Diet [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2011]
- The Diet Solution Program - How To Lose Weight On A Diet [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2011]
- The Diet Solution Program - What Diet Is The Best For Sexy New Body [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2011]
- High Protein Bodybuilding Breakfast [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2011]
- 17 Day Diet - Reviews, Book, Plan, Recipes [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2011]
- The Diet Solution Program Review | The Diet Solution Program [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2011]
- Mediterranean Diet Meal Plan [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2011]
- Kleen-Safe™ Touchless Cleaning System [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2011]
- Weight loss diet tips from the best diet plan for women and men [Last Updated On: October 6th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 6th, 2011]
- Diane's hCG Diet VLOG -- I'm on P3 and am okay with it! The real HCG diet [Last Updated On: October 6th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 6th, 2011]
- Radical Healing with Plant Foods - Teaser [Last Updated On: October 7th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 7th, 2011]
- The Diet Solution Program Insight Into How To Lose Weight On A Diet - Video [Last Updated On: October 13th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 13th, 2011]
- Safe and Effective Diet Pill - Video [Last Updated On: October 14th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 14th, 2011]
- Utah HCG - Why a 500 calorie diet with the hcg diet drops? - Video [Last Updated On: October 15th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 15th, 2011]
- The Dangers of Aspartame (Artificial Sweeteners Sugarfree Diet Coke Zero No Sugar Added E951) - Video [Last Updated On: October 15th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 15th, 2011]
- Boxing Workouts for Kids : Teaching Kids how to Diet Safely in Boxing - Video [Last Updated On: October 15th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 15th, 2011]
- Weight Loss Before and After Pictures! Very Inspirational! - Video [Last Updated On: October 15th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 15th, 2011]
- Coffee Slender with Miss Universe Part 2 - Video [Last Updated On: October 15th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 15th, 2011]
- WEIGHT LOSS MADE EASY FLAT TUMMY DIET - Video [Last Updated On: October 15th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 15th, 2011]
- How do you know the raw food diet works? - Video [Last Updated On: October 16th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 16th, 2011]
- Raw Milk and Raw Eggs - Can You Safely Eat Them? - Video [Last Updated On: October 27th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 27th, 2011]
- Safely Build Fitness Exercise Activity - Video [Last Updated On: October 29th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 29th, 2011]
- Best diet to lose weight, lose weight and keep it off, fast easy weight loss - Video [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2011]
- Losing Weight Quickly Safely and Permanently-Top Diet. - Video [Last Updated On: November 4th, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 4th, 2011]
- The Diet Solution Program and Counting Calories - Video [Last Updated On: November 9th, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 9th, 2011]
- The Diet Solution Program and Tomatoes - Video [Last Updated On: November 9th, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 9th, 2011]
- The Diet Solution Program And The Best Fat Burning Workout - Video [Last Updated On: November 15th, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 15th, 2011]
- African Mango Weight Loss - Video [Last Updated On: November 15th, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 15th, 2011]
- Could A Fast Diet Program In Fact Allow You To Reduce Weight Safely? - Video [Last Updated On: November 21st, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 21st, 2011]
- hCG diet drops miracle - Video [Last Updated On: December 1st, 2011] [Originally Added On: December 1st, 2011]
- How To Cut a Pineapple Safe Swift Easy AND Instant Lunch - Video [Last Updated On: December 3rd, 2011] [Originally Added On: December 3rd, 2011]
- Ben Pakulski's MI40 Workout [Last Updated On: December 3rd, 2011] [Originally Added On: December 3rd, 2011]
- Better Without - Gluten-free dining out - Video [Last Updated On: December 9th, 2011] [Originally Added On: December 9th, 2011]
- The Diet Solution Program And Cooking Oils - Video [Last Updated On: December 9th, 2011] [Originally Added On: December 9th, 2011]
- Body Cleanse - What to Expect on a Cleanse - Video [Last Updated On: December 19th, 2011] [Originally Added On: December 19th, 2011]
- Zhen De Shou Diet Pills - Official Source Worldwide - See testimonials, reviews and promotions - Video [Last Updated On: December 20th, 2011] [Originally Added On: December 20th, 2011]
- Diet for GERD: Foods to Avoid with GERD - Video [Last Updated On: January 13th, 2012] [Originally Added On: January 13th, 2012]
- Obesity Before [Last Updated On: January 13th, 2012] [Originally Added On: January 13th, 2012]
- Raw Food Vegan bananas only diet! - Video [Last Updated On: January 16th, 2012] [Originally Added On: January 16th, 2012]
- Diet for GERD: Foods to Eat with GERD - Video [Last Updated On: January 16th, 2012] [Originally Added On: January 16th, 2012]
- Mitt Romney nears Florida win with cash, a steady hand [Last Updated On: January 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: January 31st, 2012]
- ZELTIQ Aesthetics, Inc. to Present at the Leerink Swann 2012 Global Healthcare Conference [Last Updated On: February 1st, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 1st, 2012]
- Yalecrest residents wary of Sunnyside lane-reduction plan [Last Updated On: February 2nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 2nd, 2012]
- Diet Pills For Weight Loss? - Video [Last Updated On: February 2nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 2nd, 2012]
- Orexigen Therapeutics Shares Flat After Firm Says Diet Drug Safe for Approval - Video [Last Updated On: February 3rd, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 3rd, 2012]
- Mark Hyman, MD: 10 Rules to Eat Safely for Life (and What to Remove From Your Kitchen) [Last Updated On: February 5th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 5th, 2012]
- NextAdvisor.com Reviews Cloud Storage Services [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2012]
- From ‘Ketosis’ to ‘quota’ [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2012]