If you’re still working from home, you want to remain healthy. It can be tricky to stay active when you’re at home and above all, sleeping hours can be merged and everything can feel out of whack. So what methods are there to stay physically and mentally stable in the home office?
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1. Maintain your work routine and get up at the same time each day.
Maintaining regular work routines and discipline can help to separate private and work more clearly and to structure everyday life at home better.
2. Set up a permanent workplace based on ergonomic principles.
Set up your workspace at home separately and orderly and remove all distractions such as annoying devices or conspicuous decorations. Wear work clothes instead of sweatpants. All of this helps to establish a familiar working atmosphere. It is also worthwhile to make the work area ergonomic – ideally just like in the office – and to invest in a suitable office chair, for example. Please also contact your employer, who will cover the costs if necessary.
3. Make breaks varied, for example with sports exercises.
The way to work, to the coffee machine or the short walk during the lunch break are no longer necessary at home. However, long, rigid sitting can lead to postural damage and tension. Just a few sports exercises, for example during a break, can replace the lack of exercise and not only strengthen your physical, but also your mental health. Regular ventilation also brings fresh air into the premises and protects against tiredness. You may want to look at Fitness 19 for example for inspiration.
4. Seek regular exchange with colleagues.
Many people lack their colleagues. Realize that most of them are doing this at the moment and have the courage to contact others on a regular basis. You can also take advantage of digital opportunities, such as video calls, to share your lunch break with others. This can be unusual at first and of course does not replace personal exchange. Nevertheless, you feel less alone, don’t lose touch and avoid a feeling of isolation with yourself and others. You can find out more about mental health in the workplace during the coronavirus pandemic online.
5. Clearly communicate and structure working hours.
Make it clear to your colleagues that you are usually only active during a specified time window. Otherwise, due to the lack of spatial separation between the office and home, you run the risk of being constantly available and of working more than when working in the office. Describe your goals in detail and set a schedule. This helps to divide up the work and neither to over- or under-challenge yourself. It also helps to bring structure into your work and thus into your everyday life at home.
The coronavirus pandemic is not a permanent one.
The methods and tips described will help you to make your everyday life and home office as pleasant and inspiring as possible. More and more people are enjoying working at home – if you are not one of them, it helps to keep in mind that the current situation is not permanent. For your own safety, use the opportunity to work from home and look forward to meeting your colleagues in person again in the future.
