The new office has become the home office during the COVID-19 pandemic. While a home can be a comfortable place, Jennifer Miree Cope also says it can be a very challenging place to stay healthy.
There are so many comforts at home that people can often get out of their healthy routines. Unhealthy snacks are common, as is not getting in enough exercise or taking time for yourself.
Here are some ways you can maintain a well-balanced and healthy lifestyle while you’re staying at home.
Be Intentional
The home is comfortable and familiar. It often calms people and puts them in a relaxed mood. In many cases, this is great. But, it can work against you, too.
When working from home, it’s easy to grab something quickly from the kitchen without thinking about what you’re putting in your mouth. One good way to offset this is to be intentional about your eating and drinking habits.
Take time to plan out your meals and snacks, just as you would if you were leaving the house for work. This will help you stay on a healthy track.
Keep a Routine
Most people’s routines have changed dramatically as they’ve worked from home. For most, this is necessary, as they must juggle internet connections, watch children, and fight for quiet space in the home.
When you’re not reporting for work outside the home, it can be easy to fall off a routine altogether. You wake up, stay in your pajamas all day and amble around the house.
A great way to stay healthy from home is to create a new, healthy routine that works for the new situation. Wake up and get dressed for work as you would for the office. Have a healthy breakfast. Factor in time for breaks, time for yourself, and time for exercise.
Don’t Forget Yourself
When people work from home, they often find themselves suddenly surrounded by their family day in and day out. In that type of environment, it can be challenging to take time for yourself.
There is no commute to and from work. There is no break outside of the office. There are no texts, calls, or emails sent back and forth with loved ones.
It’s important to take time for yourself every day. Try to do at least one thing for yourself each day, as rewarding yourself will help you stay focused on helping others.
Be Mindful
Mental health is just as important as physical health. In fact, as Jennifer Miree Cope explains, the two are intertwined and interconnected. In other words, it’s difficult to have one without the other.
When you’re working from home, it’s essential that you tend to your mental health. Make sure you get enough sleep. Get outside to get fresh air. Take a break from social media, the news, and electronics altogether.
Practice mindfulness techniques such as meditation or deep breathing, and give yourself a break.
About Jennifer Miree Cope
Jennifer Miree Cope graduated from Vanderbilt University in 1985 with a degree in Electrical Engineering. Renowned for her passion and talent as a landscape designer, Jennifer’s associates often praise her for being organized and thorough. When not hiking in the mountains of North Carolina, attending University of Alabama sporting events, or exercising, Jennifer is often volunteering with one of the many charitable endeavors supported by Independent Presbyterian Church in Birmingham, Alabama: STAIR tutoring, Holiday House, or the Children’s Fresh Air Farm. Also Read: Mobile Home Park Investments
Â
