How to Be More Active While Working from Home
I’ve always been one to track my steps and activity, since the early days of FitBits and even earlier. Back when I was working at an office 9-5, I could rack up plenty of daily steps just from moving around during the day – walking to the train station, trips to the coffeemaker and the bathroom, and so on.
So when I first started working from home, I had to do a double-take when I could look down at my watch at 5pm and see that my steps for the day were in the triple digits. I literally walked laps in the living room to see if the pedometer was broken. It wasn’t.
I know I’m not alone in this, so how can you keep your activity level up throughout the day while working from home? Have no fear, step-counters; just follow these tips.
Health Tips
Take Mini Workout Breaks
We all need to give our brains little breaks throughout the day, so why not use those breaks to let your body move? Set a timer for every hour or so and give yourself a few minutes of activity when it goes off. You could spend five minutes walking throughout the house, do a set or two of some weight training exercises, or hit the floor for some crunches. This has two purposes: it boosts your healthy activity and it gives your brain some fog-fighting blood circulation so when you get back to work, you’ll be fresher and more energized.
Create Your Own “Commute”
I know, I know, cutting the commute is pretty much advantage #1 of working from home. But some commutes have health benefits and you can put them to use on your timeline. Get into the habit of taking a quick walk each morning before your start work and each afternoon when you finish your work, even if it’s just a stroll around the block. The routine will help you switch your brain into and out of “work mode” so you have a better work-life separation, all while giving you a nice dose of exercise.
Take Calls on Your Feet
There are certain tasks that require you to be at your computer, stationary enough to be typing and focusing your eyes. Talking on the phone isn’t one of them, though. If you have a phone call, try standing up and walking around while you’re chatting. You might be surprised by how many steps you’ll build up, and if you’re someone who’s more focused if you’re fidgeting or moving, it serves that purpose too. This is probably best for voice-only calls, though, unless you feel like explaining to your coworkers why your Zoom window keeps bouncing.
Working from home is an endless exercise in balance, and that includes balancing your work productivity with your physical activity. No job is worth sacrificing your health for, but if just use some smart strategies, you don’t have to sacrifice either one.
Want more remote working tips? Join us at our next Ladies Work Remote coworking session to chat up other WFHers and hear their strategies.