Once this all started, working from home sure seemed like a dream come true, at least for some people. Most of us said goodbye to long and costly commutes, boring and unnecessary meetings, exhausting office politics, and coffee that for sure invalidates some paragraphs of the Geneva convention. As time goes by, some cons started to rear their ugly heads and threaten to overshadow all of the pros of working from home.
While it's always best to maximize and get the best out of any situation, keeping an eye out and getting on top of things should be everyone's priority as well. Remote work can be even more enjoyable and beneficial if you look out and take care of various problems before they overwhelm you. As many studies have shown, health should always come first, and here are some things that you most definitely have to keep an eye out for:
1. Social health.
We are social creatures, as many definitions support. While the various scopes of our social interactions can vary from one hello per week to multiple parties per day, there is no denying that it's beneficial for us. Working from home can feel isolating like, being trapped inside a cocoon and walled off from others. Virtual meetings don't have the same feel as live interactions, which is perfectly normal. If, and when possible, a simple walk with a friend or relative can mean all the difference. For both sides that is and we will touch upon this matter further down.
2. An extreme case of the munches.
You simply don't know what to do with yourself anymore, and you open the fridge. Nothing appeals as usual, so you close it, walk away, and come back in five minutes, repeating the process. To your surprise, everything is a hundred times more appealing, and you gulp it all down. Binge-watching shows, gaming or simply eating while you work (which is also unhealthy for you) cause future summer self to weep. But it also causes various medical problems, which can escalate easily if not addressed properly.
Stress eating causes an increase in weight which further causes heart problems, blood clots, your cholesterol skyrockets, etc. Eating junk food and loading up on carbs while you slouch around just to pass the time is the easiest way to let go but you should reconsider. Eating away from your work desk, adding more fruits and vegetables, increase your water intake, and having more but smaller meals can all help you out. And of course, our next item:
3. Back and muscle pain.
Whenever a body part is hurting you, that's your body telling you that something is wrong. The most commonly ignored area is the back, as we shrug it off or just soldier thru the pain. Which is, of course, horrible, not recommended, and can have long-term consequences. Frequent breaks to stretch out and relieve the build-up pressure gathered in your back from long sitting seances is a good start. Physio from Canberra is the next step as you are not alone in this. Many people are experiencing this due to prolonged sitting, uncomfortable or bad quality chairs, etc.
Ergonomics is not just a fancy word but a serious science field that is important now, more than ever. And while you can do a lot of exercises from home, a word of advice from a trained professional is always welcomed. What you need for a start is just your goodwill and some willpower. After that, it's all about setting a routine, but we will cover that later. One more muscle deserves special mention and treatment.
4. Eyestrain.
As mentioned above, prolonged sitting in uncomfortable or non-ergonomic chairs can be a serious strain on your back. But your eyes have it much worse as, even after you are done staring at your computer screen to work, you usually switch to your phone, tablet, or TV. And this just causes further strain on them. Add to this a factor of inadequate or bad quality of sleep, and your eyes could sure use all the help they can get. Eye exercises are something you can do routinely as your work.
Just take twenty-seconds pauses every twenty minutes and focus on something that's not a screen. It can be something in your room or outside your window. When you take a coffee or a lunch break, don't just switch to your phone. You should take every possibility, within reason, to go outside, on a balcony, or for a walk and just enjoy the view. Every second that you spend no staring at a form of a screen is one second of good exercise for your eyes and they will be thankful for that.
Taking care of them is sure a lot more enjoyable (and less expensive) than medical treatment, contacts, eyeglasses, etc. and there is no need to put further strains on your budget.
5. Mental fortitude.
You weather thru worse than this, and this too shall pass. Keeping your mind up and running is the key here. Daily routines such as walks, hikes, or other activities can help you track time, and a change of scenery can make all the difference. Don't overwork yourself to sickness and death. The company can replace you in a heartbeat, but you can't replace your health with a new version. Keeping a healthy balance between working and everything besides it is fundamental for your mental health.
At least calling someone, talking, and checking up is an option if the quarantine rules tighten, and by doing so, someone can maybe return the call. Everything is easier with a friend.
Tackling anything can seem daunting at first. But step by step, bit by beat and you will be able to see and feel results. Rome wasn't built in a day and you didn't get where you are as well. It takes time, effort, and dedication to change one's habits. Results that come from such selfless improvements are immeasurable. Your long-term physical and mental health will be strengthened and renewed, ready to shrug off anything at any time. Besides, after everything you have survived until now, it makes sense to build up and refresh your wellbeing. Your future self will thank you.
