Consider getting a standing desk
Even though standing won’t replace physical exercise, the truth is that it’s a way better option than just sitting for 8+ hours. This is exactly why you should switch from a regular desk to a standing one. Apart from reduced sitting time, a standing desk can also help ease back pain. It’s because sitting for long periods of time can hurt your lower back by tightening the muscles and causing pain. Once you start alternating between sitting and standing, you’ll burn more calories and boost your productivity. Needless to say, it will certainly improve your posture by readjusting the body muscles, too. Just give it a fair shot and you’ll see what we were talking about!
Choose your desk chair wisely
The next essential you need to pay extra attention to is your desk chair. This is particularly true if you’ve never worked from home, which is probably why you don’t have an appropriate chair at your disposal. Remember that ergonomic desk chairs are the best ones on the market. First of all, it should have lumbar support. As the lumbar spine has an inward curve, you should get a chair that has a lumbar adjustment that supports this curve. Also, the height of the seat should be adjustable so that you can sit comfortably in it. Your feet should lay flat on the floor, with thighs horizontal and arms even with the height of the desk. Bear that in mind and you won’t make a mistake!
Take several breaks to stretch and walk around
As you already know, physical activity is essential if you want to stay healthy. However, since working out in the middle of your working hours isn’t an option, you should find another way to make it happen. For example, taking several breaks throughout the day is crucial. All you need to do is leave your workplace for several minutes, walk around the house, and stretch. Even though it probably seems a bit silly, it will definitely do wonders for your overall well-being. It’s one of the biggest benefits of working remotely, so don’t neglect it and feel free to take advantage of it. However, try not to make this activity a distraction from work. It shouldn’t take too much time and effort, so remember that and stay focused on your tasks!
Opt for physiotherapy to improve your health
On the other hand, if sitting has already taken its toll on your health and well-being, it’s about time you did something to change that. Sore neck, painful back, headache, and overuse injuries in hands and arms are quite common among people who tend to sit for 8+ hours every day. Did you know that around 4 million people in Australia (which is 1 in 6 Australians) had back problems back in 2018? This number is probably even bigger these days, when millions of people were forced to leave their workplaces and start to work remotely. If you’re one of them, too, be sure to opt for physio in Canberra. This type of therapy can reverse back and neck pain and help you function properly, so book your appointment and you’ll see what we were talking about!
Monitor your stress levels
Yes, we know that stress can be quite helpful sometimes. It motivates you to stay focused on your tasks and accomplish your goals, but you know what? Experiencing too much stress over an extended period of time will actually do more harm than good. That’s right – excessive amounts of stress are likely to negatively affect your ability to perform. Once it becomes chronic, stress can be detrimental to your immune system and make you prone to a wide range of diseases. This is why you need to monitor your stress levels in order to stay healthy in 2021. You can always start with meditation and breathing exercises. These will help you stay in the present moment, without worrying about future tasks and events!
Prepare your own meals in advance
Can you be truly healthy if you don’t take care of what you’re eating? Not really, and that’s why you should embrace a well-balanced diet. We know that it sounds way too challenging, but trust us when we say that it isn’t. The first step is planning your meals. It will stop you from reaching for unhealthy snacks throughout the day, which is essential when you’re working remotely. Once you plan it out, the next step is meal prep. It means that you should pick one day (Sunday is great) and cook meals for the entire week on that day. When your meals are all done, store them in individual containers and keep them in your fridge. That’s the best way to ensure that you’ll eat healthy all week long!
Stay physically active as much as possible
Last but certainly not least, staying physically active undoubtedly is one of the best ways to stay healthy while working remotely. Of course, we understand that squeezing a workout into your busy schedule may be tricky, but you know what? When there’s a will, there’s a way! So, if you don’t have enough time to work out at your local gym, you should go for a long walk or a jog around the neighborhood instead. Cycling is a great option as well. It doesn’t really matter which activity you’ll choose – exercise regularly and you’ll see a fantastic improvement!
As you can tell, there are so many incredible ways to stay healthy while working remotely in 2021. All you need to do is to find ones that work best for your needs, stick to them, and stay persistent. When you do that, your health will inevitably improve – even if you find working from home challenging. That’s a promise!
