How to Remove Some Work-From-Home Stressors
We all imagined being able to work from home as the ideal job benefit. Not having to commute or wear uncomfortable shoes all day is worth its weight in gold alone. And while there are multitude of benefits that come from remote work, there are things we need to be mindful of that can actually be harming us both psychologically and physically.
An interesting outcome from a study regarding remote work was that people actually put in longer hours than they did in an office environment. The temptation to finish that looming project by staying up late at night to work on it, or checking work email as soon as we wake up in the morning, isn’t good for us, creating more stress than our rush hour commute ever did.
Walk Away—-Literally
It can be tempting to eat lunch in front of the computer or stay in our office chair even through our breaks scrolling through our Facebook feed or watching a 30-minute Netflix episode, but it’s more important for us to walk away from our home office for at least an hour during the work day.
Experts advise you to get at least 30 minutes of exercise every day, preferably more. By leaving your home and taking a few laps around the block or going to the gym and using the Stairmaster, you’re not only giving yourself the physical exercise you need, but you’re also giving your brain a chance to detach from work.
Prioritize Healthier Eating
You can’t eat it if it isn’t in the house. Though your office may have had vending machines or a co-worker’s birthday cake every week, nothing is as convenient or tempting as that 10-step walk to the kitchen.
Keep only healthy options available to snack on, like smoothies, peanut butter-and-apple, trail mix, or whatever strikes your fancy that isn’t full of empty calories like chips or cookies.
Have water handy at your desk. It’s not only important to stay hydrated, but oftentimes when we feel hungry, we’re, in fact, thirsty. Few beverages can quench our thirst like plain water. It’s also great as a pick-me-up in the afternoon over ice and with a wedge of lemon.
It's important to have the right tools in your kitchen to help you stay on track. Some key products to look out for include reliable food scales, high-quality cutting boards, and nutrient-rich blenders. To ensure you’re only buying the best products, visit sites like Safe Smart Family for thorough and unbiased reviews.
De-Clutter to De-Stress
If your desk is overrun with paperwork and you’ve got bulletin boards covered in post-it notes everywhere you look, it can definitely stress you out.
Storing information digitally can not only make your data more easily accessible, but it can also declutter your workspace. Following smart tips like archiving instead of deleting and organizing your apps by color can make the process of storing and retrieving your information more efficient.
If the lighting in your office isn’t up to par, it can cause headaches and more stress. Keep blinds and curtains open to get as much natural light as possible. When choosing artificial light, keep in mind that both the placement of the lighting as well as the temperature of the bulb affect how you see and work. Avoid incandescent or fluorescent light sources and use bright white bulbs instead, those with a CT (color temperature) of 4,000 to 5,000.
Invest in an ergonomically designed chair to avoid both short-and-long-term back and neck discomfort. These chairs are made especially for sitting at a desk for long hours and offer the right support and spine alignment.
Moving On to a More Ideal Job
Sometimes it’s not the space we’re working in but the work we’re doing that is causing us to feel stressed and unhappy. It’s not necessary to stay at a job that is leaving you unfulfilled or dissatisfied. The job market is the best it’s been in decades, with many employers offering prime pay and benefits to attract new workers.
If the idea of working on your resume has you feeling overwhelmed, help is as close as your computer screen. Try this free online resume builder to design your perfect resume that can stand out from the rest. Using a template can not only help ensure you don’t miss any important information, but you can create a dazzling resume with a whole library of colors, fonts, and designs to choose from.
Working from home truly can be the blessing you hoped it would be as long as you don’t let it rule your life. Take breaks, eat healthily, and organize and declutter to reduce stress. And if you don’t like your job, create a great resume and go get a new one! You deserve to be happy at work, and with some smart choices, you really can be.
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Written by Lisa Walker
