Tips to Stay Healthy While Working Remotely

It's all too easy to get stuck in a rut while working remotely. And, working from home everyday can lead to the day feeling long and monotonous. One of the biggest struggles is trying to find a way to maintain a healthy lifestyle, both mentally and physically. That’s why we've come up with these five tips to help you stay happy and healthy, even on days when you may be feeling a bit unproductive or isolated.

1. Stick to a consistent sleep schedule

Many people think losing a couple hours of sleep here and there won't affect their performance or health the next day. But when loss of sleep becomes more frequent, you may notice a drop in energy, happiness and mental capacity to tackle the day head-on with your usual gusto. Sticking to a regular schedule of 7-9 hours of sleep each night will have you feeling rested and ready to take on the day!

2. Find time to be active

Exercise is one of the best ways to keep your mind and body healthy. Working out releases natural endorphins that lower stress levels and boost your mood!  Whether you’re an avid runner or like to stretch your muscles through yoga, you’ll find that staying active with 30 minutes of exercise 3-4 times a week is one of the best ways to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Hint: If you’ve been finding it hard to stick to a workout regiment, you’re not alone! Small tweaks to your workday routine such as adding breaks to stretch, walk up and down the stairs, or even vacuuming can go a long way to improving your health.

3. Pay attention to what you’re eating and where

It’s easier than ever to run to the pantry for a quick snack from your home office, but eating meals and snacks at your work space can lead to unhealthy grazing. Make every effort to eat away from your desktop. Do so by avoiding working in the kitchen and planning a schedule for meal and snack breaks. And if your snacks leave you feeling hungry a couple of minutes later, it may be time to trade in the chips for healthier alternatives such as veggies, fruits and raw nuts.  

Hint: Set aside time on Sunday to meal prep! Not only will this save you money, it will simplify your life by making meal and snack time decisions easy during your busy work week. Use our budget calculator to create a weekly budget for your grocery list and check out our blog How to Make 2021 Your Best Financial Year Yet.

4. Ditch the pajamas and make a to-do list

As comfortable and enticing as it can be to stay in your pajamas all day, experts say getting dressed every morning can help remote workers feel competent and more productive. It’s good for mental health and is a good way to boost motivation. Creating a to-do list at the beginning of the day is also another important task to add to your daily routine as well as keeping your desk area organized and free of clutter. It can instill a sense of purpose, accomplishment and keep your mind clear and focused. 

5. Take a break from your screen

Not commuting everyday to the office can be a great bonus, but that can tack on the amount of time remote workers spend starring at a screen—especially with the lack interruptions and no period between work and personal time. Constantly looking at the blue-light from a computer monitor, smartphone or television may cause eye-irritation, dry eye, difficulty sleeping and headaches. It’s important to reduce exposure to blue-light by taking frequent breaks from screens, making sure you work in a well-lit area and dimming screen displays. Screens may also impede your ability to get a good night's sleep, so it’s best to avoid looking at your device at least an hour before bed-time.  

Hint: Use the 20-20-20 rule –every 20 minutes take a 20-second break and look at an object 20 feet away. 

One of the best things about working remotely is that you have the power to make it a great experience. Determine a routine and shake it up whenever you want to! Making minor tweaks in your daily routine, like changing the time you take a lunch break or switching up the time you exercise, will provide variation. And if you spend most of your time working indoors, make a point to step outside each morning before settling into your home office or for a few minutes in the afternoon. Whether the sun is there to offer a little vitamin-D or not, being outside can help reduce stress and anxiety. 

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  Working From Home

  Many Americans are working from home during the coronavirus pandemic and dealing with both the perks and challenges. Watch this video for some helpful tips to work from home productively.

  Show Transcript

  Many Employees Are Working From Home During Coronavirus Pandemic

  Many Americans are being asked to work from home during the coronavirus pandemic, both for their safety and that of their coworkers, as well as to keep the businesses they work for running so they can continue to serve their customers.Working from the comfort of your own home is not as easy as it sounds. There could be countless distractions, possible feelings of isolation, and the temptation to spend every waking moment working. Here are some tips to help you focus on your work while at the same time interacting with coworkers and family to maintain balance in your life.

  • Make sure you have the equipment and supplies you need to do your job. Do you have a work device, or will you be using your own? What about a telephone now that you’ll no longer have an office line? Is there a place in your home to set up a functional temporary office to help block distractions?
  • Knowing what is expected of you will be important. Keep in touch with managers and coworkers so you know what you should be working on and what others are doing. Hopefully, your company has provided you with a list of phone numbers, email addresses or suggested a particular instant messaging application. Use them to stay in touch.
  • Follow security protocols as necessary. Will you be signing in via a VPN? Will you be emailing or storing sensitive files? Make sure you follow any required security measures, such as logging in and out of devices or locking or hiding paper files.
  • Make sure to contact any clients or customers that you regularly work with and let them know how to reach you and what hours you will be available.
  • Since your home is also now your workspace, make sure you figure out how to strike a balance between ‘on’ hours and ‘off’ hours. Work with family members to help avoid distractions but don’t completely shut them off. Don’t forget that your ‘office’ is also their home.
  • If you’re not being paid via direct deposit into an account at your financial institution, ask management if that is possible. It’s safer and more secure than driving to pick up a paper paycheck and going to your financial institution to make a deposit. If you are mailed a check, start making those deposits with remote deposit from your smartphone. It’s as simple as logging into your financial institution with its free mobile app and taking photos of the front and back of your endorsed check.

  While it could take some time to get used to, you’ll find that working from home can be just as productive as being in the office. Just remember that focus and communication will be big keys to success.

There are a lot of ways to maintain a healthy lifestyle while working remotely, but remember to keep in mind that your health depends on your mental and physical well-being.

Looking for ways to manage your financial goals this year? We’re here to help! Read this blog for ways to set SMART goals and reach out to us today or find a local branch near you – we’re happy to assist you in any way we can.