Staying Healthy while Working at Home
I thought it might be a good time to offer some advice to those of you who have now been introduced to ‘working from home’.
For many of us our days are very different to how they were a week or two ago! For me, my time has been split between working from home and going out to ‘the office’ for a few years, but still it takes some getting used to!
I learnt previously how important it is to keep hold of your motivation for completing tasks, but also to look after your physical and mental health.
There are many positives to working from home…no rush-hour commuting, the comfort of your home environment and maybe for some less noise and interuption! But it is best to start well and set up some ‘work space’ – this might mean away from children that are also now at home… So I have put together some pointers that I have found useful and some extras that might also work for you.
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Eat nutritious foods even if you’re sitting closer to the fridge!
Balanced nutrition plays an important role when you’re in a different environment or under stress. Sometimes stress can make us forget to eat properly, but for others it can bring out the emotional eater and the chocolate begins to flow…
This is where good food and nutrition comes into play.
Make your meals something you look forward to and don’t forget to eat.
Move away from the fridge – so you don’t have to keep looking at it, if that’s a distraction! Working from home can bring constant eating temptations so plan your meals in advance. Eat regularly and avoiding picking as it can affect your blood sugar and weight.
At lunch, aim to eat a balanced meal with good fats, protein and plenty of vegetables. You can add some good sources of carbohydrate if required too. During this time you might want to increase your intake of ‘immune system enhancing’ nutrients and foods.
Remember to eat slowly – set aside 30 minutes and enjoy your lunch within this time.
Chew mindfully and don’t be rushed, ideally you want time to digest and rest!
Avoid scheduling meetings over the lunch period or having your phone with you to check emails, don’t mix screen time with chewing time!
Ensure you are drinking enough fluid, warm water, green tea or herbal teas will all help, as we often confuse hunger with thirst and overeat
Try and have a selection of healthy snacks on hand for morning and afternoon.
Here are some ideas:
- Cut up veggies and hummus
- Fresh fruit/avocado/banana
- Nuts, nibbles and trail mix
- Healthy muesli bar
- Bliss balls or healthy muffins
- Rice crackers/seaweed crackers
- Hard boiled eggs
- Smoothie
If you’re struggling at home, please call friends and work colleagues for support.
Working from home can make you feel isolated and impact our already restricted lives. Make use of our amazing technology and use the likes of Zoom, Facetime or WhatsApp video to call colleagues, so you can see them. I know it’s not the same, but it might be the best we can do at the moment.
Please be aware of your emotion and mental health. Don’t be afraid to reach out for support and extra help during this time of isolation…