Making Working At Home Work For You And Your Health

Increasing numbers of people are working from home full-time or telecommuting on a regular basis. Working from home offers many benefits, including more flexibility, no commuting time, and not having to deal with office politics (as often). It's not hard to understand that those who go to work can be a little envious of those of us who are already there when we get up in the morning. We can stay in our jammies all day if we want to, as long as that doesn't affect productivity. 

Are you working at home or thinking about it? These tips are for you, especially if your job involves sitting in front of a computer a significant portion of the day. 

Staying Motivated And Productive

There are plenty of reasons to want to work from home. No matter what yours are, it usually isn't all that easy to land an at-home job or to convince your current employer to let you work out of the office. When that possibility does open up for you, you are likely to feel enormously grateful. Working from home may allow you to see more of your kids, or it may mean you never have to be stuck in those hellish morning traffic jams again. It's easy to focus on the positive at first, and that makes it easy to be the most productive worker you can be as well. 

People — even or perhaps especially your significant other — will come to expect you to do the same things you might be able to do if you were retired, a housewife, or unemployed. But you are none of those things, and you aren't able to have long, leisurely lunches with your friends, you can't keep the house spic 'n span while you're working, and you aren't able to do a productive job while successfully looking after little children either. Those or similar things might be expected from you nonetheless. This may create resentment, especially if you try to do all the things everyone expects. 

While members of your household and friends expect you to function as if you didn't have a job "because you're home all day anyway", you might find it hard to stay motivated. Without your boss and co-workers looking over your shoulder, it seems like you're less accountable. Who will stop you from looking at cute kitty videos on Facebook for "just five minutes" or from checking your emails yet again? 

See Also: How To Take Away Stress From Your Home

Here are some ways to do all of that:

• Set up a routine. It doesn't have to be a rigid routine in which every minute is planned out (unless you have deadlines), but it has to be a routine nonetheless. 
• If you have young children at home, get childcare while you're working or work when your partner is home. This is good for your sanity and fair on your employer.
• Get out of the house every day. Get dressed for work and have a reserve a special part of your house for work, so you still feel like you "have arrived at work". This will help you focus. 
• Exercise every day. Take regular breaks and engage in some exercise while you are at it. This will keep your mind sane and your body healthy. 
• Eat nutritious meals. Don't eat while staring at your computer screen. 
• Whether you're self-employed or employed, connect with your co-workers. Ask other team members about their jobs and personal lives, and stay in touch with them. Doing so will make you feel more committed, which will make you more productive.
• Actively enjoy your job. When that becomes hard, take a look at the good sides again. 

Working From Home: How To Be Healthy And Happy

Are You Getting Enough Exercise?

Some at-home jobs are more active than others, but many of those who work from home are going to be doing computer-based jobs. These people face the same difficulties that others who sit around most of the day face, with the addition that they don't even need to travel to get to work.

Remember that routine we mentioned? Starting the day by going for a jog outside is one wonderful item to incorporate into your daily to-do list! It will get your heart beating faster, give you fresh air, and offer some of that much-needed vitamin D. Those who have a garden or a public park nearby can exercise there as well. Try SteadyHealth's "Ab workouts for men and women" app for your mobile device, or do some yoga. 

Don't limit your physical activity to the morning, though. Take regular breaks and do stretching exercises, run in place, or get a training bike to let off some steam while you are brainstorming. 

Social Interaction And Change Of Scenery 

Don't want to lose your mind while you're working? Besides regular exercise, your organism craves interaction with other humans as well as seeing something other than the same four walls. Social interaction and going places are basic needs we all have. There's a reason going to prison is a punishment. It makes the criminal's life monotonous and strips it of any excitement. Don't turn your life into a prison because you're working from home. Get together with friends often, and do things that excite you. 

Because your home is also your workplace, you can't see it as the only place in which you relax. Instead of snuggling up on the couch with your partner and having a nice meal at home, go out for dinner and see a movie — or whatever works for you, as long as it gets you out the house every single day. 

Having an active social life and not being stuck at home all the time isn't just good for you. It is essential for the quality of your work as well. Unless you are paid to click on ads or something equally mindless, your job relies on you being at least a little creative. Not being a hermit ensures you can do that.

Screen-Free Time

Most people have too much screen time these days. Those who work at home are likely to get much more. You might have Skype conferences or communicate with your co-workers by email, and you probably use the computer to work. Does that sound familiar? Please remember to turn the computer off when you are done working — so you can have that active social life we talked about. Want to relax? Reading a book, having a long bath or doing your garden is much better than staring at a screen. 

See Also: Ten Healthy Herbs To Grow At Home

Oh, that also means you need to know when you're done working. And that is where that routine comes in handy again. At a minimum, set approximate working hours for yourself and remember to think of your home as your home and not your workplace when you are finished for the day.