5 things you can do to make working from home healthy

Today, 4.2 million of us in the UK regularly work from home, so take advantage of the chance to work on your wellbeing too by following these 5 things you can do to make working from home healthy.

In theory, a home-based contract should allow you to dedicate much more time to what you eat and when you train, but unfortunately that’s not always the case. I struggled in the past to get my work/life balance just right, but with a few simple rules I manage the split much more evenly these days. Here’s how.

1. Make exercise a priority

Whether it’s a morning walk, hitting the gym the moment the doors open, or a bike ride at sunrise, always plan to exercise before opening the project you were working on last night. The moment I read my emails I either feel compelled to reply, or spend my entire workout worrying about messages I feel I need to respond to. I’m up at first light, long before most people have even finished breakfast, let alone driven into work. Those emails really can wait an hour! I find it’s important to make training a priority. It clears my mind, it gives me a fantastic morning energy boost and it enables me to start the day feeling motivated.

2. Keep stocked up on healthy snacks

Kitchen cupboards full of junk food are the work-from-home equivalent of the office vending machine. The temptation’s there to graze throughout the day. Small, regular meals are not necessarily a bad thing, so long as you’ve stocked up on lots of healthy options. Making nutritious, filling snack foods such as power balls will fulfil those mid morning and mid afternoon cravings between meals.

3. Get plenty of sleep

People mistakenly assume that because you work from home you spend lots of time skiving off and sneaking early finishes. I’ve found it’s often exactly the opposite! You almost feel obliged to prove you’re getting the job done. I’ve spent many an evening sat with my laptop open until gone midnight. A good night’s sleep is vital to the rest and recovery process. Studies indicate that tiredness tempts us to opt for high-calorie snacks, so sleep deprivation may be sabotaging your weight maintenance goals.

4. Take screen breaks

Not only is it potentially damaging for your eyesight to stare at a screen all day, a sedentary job that involves lots of sitting isn’t great for your mental or physical health either. Take lots of breaks, even if it’s to do something simple such as going for a short walk. Time away from the screen will give you chance to collate your thoughts and stretch tired muscles.

5. Don’t stress it

Whether you’re working for yourself or contracted as a freelancer, there’s often a lot of pressure to get the job right. Worry and stress have been scientifically proven to contribute to weight gain. High levels of the stress hormone cortisol can trigger fat and sugar cravings. Cortisol can also cause the body to hang on to fat and store it around the midsection. Remember, no job is worth sacrificing your health for. Make your wellbeing a priority.