The challenges of working from home.
The great actor, bodybuilder, and former governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger, said this about getting into a fitness routine, “Begin with a spark, just 15 minutes, 1% of your day, to exercising.” He also tells us that we need nothing more than our own bodies to exercise.
This sends to us a very clear message. No matter your situation, you have the time and equipment to get and stay healthy. So here are tips from Charlene Day on how you can find ways to stay fit no matter your circumstances when working from home.
Daily Movement
The Mayo Clinic points to seven ways that daily exercise benefits us, including boosting our mood, giving us more energy, and aiding our bodies in fighting chronic illness.
Daily fitness is completely doable, even taking into account our busy work schedules. A few ways we can change our daily routine to benefit us physically are:
- Wear a style of clothing to work that allows for freedom of movement. If you can move more freely, you allow yourself the ability to perform some simple exercise moves a few times a day. This even includes shoes, which no longer have to be uncomfortable to be stylish. Employers are encouraged to allow for uniforms and workwear to be comfortable and accommodating wherever safe and possible. Managers should also offer accommodating work schedules, frequent break times, and adaptable offices.
- If you spend a lot of time traveling for work, maintaining healthy routines can be a challenge. There are, however, a few key practices you can focus on to keep healthy—walk where possible, get enough sleep, and be sure to hydrate. Every little bit helps.
- Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Now that you’ve switched to a more exercise-friendly attire, there’s no reason you can take a flight or two of stairs, park as far from the building as possible, or walk around your office campus during lunch and break times to get your steps in.
- Find ways to stand up often. There are standing desks as well as desk converters that can be used to raise and lower the computer and keyboard to both sitting and standing positions. Research has shown that standing up for even a few minutes every hour has positive health benefits.
- Regular stretching can prevent neck and shoulder pain, which is a common complaint of people who spend hours in front of a computer, and usually not in the most ergonomically designed chairs. You can even improve productivity along with less neck and back pain by taking frequent stretch breaks at your desk.
When Working From Home
Working from home allows more flexibility when it comes to accommodating workplace exercise. Build frequent break times into your schedule and use those to leave your office area and, if possible, take a walk outside. It gives your body its needed exercise while also giving your eyes a break from staring at a monitor. It even lifts your mood by taking you completely out of the work environment.
Declutter Your Workspace
Working from home also means clearing out any stress that’s keeping you from being able to focus on your own health and wellbeing. Workplace clutter, frequent complaints about your remote coworkers, and a general feeling of being unhappy with your work situation could have their roots in your home environment. Do a thorough cleanse, getting rid of unnecessary “stuff” that’s been accumulating. Purify doors and windows where outside energy enters your home with a solution of lemons, sea salt, and white vinegar. Then maintain that frequently to keep good energy in and bad energy out.
Like Arnold himself says, use that spark to motivate yourself, then go on to motivate others who are also working from home. Overcoming obstacles that you thought were keeping you from being your very best, need not be obstacles any longer.
If you’re searching for more energy, focus, and clarity, work with leadership and lifestyle coach Charlene Day today!
Guest blogger
Justin Bennett
