Stay Fit and Sane While Social Distancing and Working from Home
Most of us have experienced a drastic change in daily routines for the past few months. One of the biggest shifts that a lot of people all over the world have gone through is working from home due to COVID-19. The good news is a lot have thrived, and the work-from-home set-up proved to be efficient in a number of ways. However, one thing that took us by surprise is realizing how challenging it is to stay fit while working from home.
Health and Well-being: The Challenges of Staying at Home
Having strict safety protocols meant that we needed to accomplish so much within the comfort of our own home: shopping for necessities and wants, working remotely, cooking for the family, exercising, gathering (virtually) with friends and family, and so much more. At first, doing all of these seemed fairly easy, but as months passed by, we have realized that there are disadvantages to working from home. Here are some of the most common ones:
- Having a lot of distractions such as juggling house chores and children while working.
- Feeling lonely and isolated due to lack of human interaction.
- Being prone to overworking due to the boundaries of work and personal life overlapping.
- Losing living space and having little to no alone time if you live with other people.
- Developing an unhealthy lifestyle due to gyms being closed and lack of motivation to exercise.
How to Maintain Your Holistic Well-Being at Home
If working from home is starting to wear on you, it may be because you are becoming caught up in so much stress and worry that your mind and your body feel tense. We’ve all been there in the past couple of months, and luckily, we have discovered great ways to stay happy and healthy while working from home.
Some suggestions on how to take care of your body while working from home:
- Make a schedule for your workout and commit to it. Depending on your preference and free time, you can either exercise early in the morning to get your energy levels up or you can enjoy a post-work routine to shake the stress away.
- Take short breaks to stretch. It can be easy to be glued to your seat, but is highly advisable to move around for a few minutes. Set an alarm so that you’ll never forget—trust, this will get your blood AND your creative juices flowing!
- Stock up on healthy snacks. Look for healthy alternatives for your go-to munching. Remember, you are what you eat—your food intake will have both long-term and short-term effects on your body, so choose your meals and snacks wisely. Protein bars are healthy and filling. I mean, we all love some comfort food, just don’t go overboard.
- Use household items as exercise equipment. Lack of gym equipment should not be a hindrance to achieving your fitness goals this quarantine period—cans of soup, bags of sugar, even that jug of milk can be used as weights, and some exercises don’t require equipment at all. Think things like sit-ups, push-ups, burpees, yoga, and running around the block or even up and down your own stairs.
Maintaining Mental and Emotional Wellness While Social Distancing:
- Stay connected with friends or family. Whether you like talking to several people or just one confidante, it is important to maintain social connection to help you stay motivated and happy.
- Practice mindfulness. Whether you find comfort in yoga or feel relaxed after deep breathing sessions, practicing mindfulness is essential for holistic health, especially after a stressful work day.
- Regulate your screen time. While browsing social media or playing video games are some ways to relax, it is still important to maintain a balance between your daily offline and on-screen activities. Also be wary of misleading information on social media to avoid bringing unnecessary stress upon yourself.
- Help out when you can. Knowing that you can help others in your own way can give you a sense of fulfillment and creates a stronger and happier community.
- Get a massage. Although many businesses are closed, the ones that are open are following COVID-19 protocols. If you’re comfortable enough, a massage is one of the best ways to maintain both your physical and mental health. Convenience plays a significant role when choosing an incall massage. https://www.zenhut.co/ is one such place in London where one can expect professionalism in a calming environment. I’ve found that going to an incall location eliminates the need to prepare a suitable space at home, saving both time and effort. The therapists are highly trained, ensuring you get the best experience possible. Massage is proven to relieve body pain and tense muscles, and by now we know that we all need one! Speak with professional massage therapists to ensure a safe and relaxing massage session. If you have a strong desire to help others overcome personal challenges, such as quitting smoking, reducing anxiety, or managing pain, becoming a Work Smart Hypnosis certified hypnotist can be a fulfilling path.
You may have mixed emotions about working from home, but that doesn’t mean you can’t succeed. Embrace the challenges and discover a stronger side of yourself that you haven’t seen before. Follow the tips above and thrive in the face of COVID-19, one day at a time.
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