How to Stay Active While Working at Home

Because of the pandemic, a large part of the population has been forced to work or study in their homes. Studies show that working at home offers a more convenient lifestyle since it saves people more time and money on daily travel. However, although remote work is effective for most, some have inevitably led a less active lifestyle from staying indoors too often.

If you’re starting to develop an unhealthy lifestyle or gain weight, here are four helpful tips to lead a healthier lifestyle while working from home.

Do quick and easy five-minute exercises

Doing quick bodyweight exercises during breaks not only boosts your body but also your focus. Allot enough time for exercise to avoid developing health issues from sitting all day.

For instance, 51Talk teachers teach 25-minute sessions throughout the day. In between lessons, teachers can do some squats for five minutes to keep themselves fit. Squats are a good exercise to strengthen your lower body and burn calories without the need for equipment or a large space.

As you do simple exercises during breaks, you'll start to feel lighter and healthier despite sitting all day. Active breaks decrease stress levels, improve posture and muscle tone, and enhance your concentration. So, explore other light bodyweight exercises that you can do to lead a more active lifestyle.

Stretch to fight off desk hunch

Sitting at your desk for hours can cause backaches and bad posture such as a desk hunch. Maintaining good posture by sitting at a 90-degree position will help prevent developing desk hunch. Aside from this, occasional stretching on your chair can help fight it as well.

Experts also recommend doing the Seated Cat Cow pose to stretch your shoulders, neck, and spine. To do the seated cat cow, place your hands on your knees, then tuck your chin in, arch your back toward the backrest, and bow down your head while holding it for 5 to 10 seconds. Then, go back to a normal sitting position and stretch your back away from the backrest.

The goal is to maintain good posture and better physical health despite sitting at your desk for hours. Remember to give your body a stretch during breaks to prevent muscle aches and bone weakening.

Arrange your home office and desk setup

A well-arranged workspace will also keep you more active while you work. For example, make sure your monitor is aligned with your eye level, so you don’t strain your neck and shoulders from looking down or up. Also, adjust the height of your chair so that your hip and knees form a 90-degree angle.

Researchers also recommend working on standing or treadmill desks as it promotes creativity, increases productivity, improves mood, and reduces stress. However, these desks may not work for all. So, the key is to make sure that your workspace is clean and organized ergonomically so you can perform tasks comfortably.

Do household chores

Doing chores is also good exercise. Even slight movements allow blood circulation and eliminate toxins in your body. Sweeping the floor, wiping off the dirt from your windows, and gardening all burn calories.

For those who can't afford the time and money on treadmill desks, cleaning your house is your next best option. More importantly, attending to house chores before working removes any household distractions that may keep you from focusing on your tasks throughout the day.

Lead a healthier lifestyle

Maintaining an active lifestyle while working from home may not be easy with all the distractions at home and work. However, investing time and effort in your health will prevent you from developing heart risks and other illnesses that stem from sitting for long periods.

For remote workers like online English teachers, staying fit and healthy will give you the energy that you need to teach effectively.

To promote a balanced lifestyle, 51Talk, the leading online English teaching platform, offers its teachers flexible working hours, allowing them to schedule their lessons according to their lifestyle. Join 51Talk today and start leading a healthier and more active life while working from home.