5 Best Habits for Working From Home
Author: Eleanor Baker, MS, RD, LDN
For the past few years I have grown Elevated Nutrition and Wellness from my home office, local coffee shop, libraries, hotels or strapped into plane seats destined for far off lands. I must say, it is not always the easiest space to grow a company. To be quite honest, its wonderfully distracting! But over the years I have started to really hone in my ability to get a significant amount done while working remote and I wanted to share my 5 best habits for working from home!
1. Establish a Routine
This is number one for a reason. When you work from home, there is no real set schedule aside from your boss or a meeting that determines when you need to be where and when. You wake up when you want. Eat when you want. Sleep when you want. Wear whatever you want. Pure freedom, right?
While that is a beautiful thing, at some point you will start to go a little crazy and lack purpose. By establishing a routine to start and end your day you will allow for more creativity and productivity with your day.
To start, set your alarm and get out of bed on time. Set your goals the night before and allow time to reflect on how yesterday went. Note the things that have gone well and areas that can use some more love and attention.
Develop a bedtime routine. It’s important to have a bedtime, not just for the health and immunity benefits but your work backwards from that bedtime to develop your PM routine. Start winding down 1-2 hours before your bed time. Dim the lights, turn off the phone and TV, read a book, meditate, do what you need to do to mellow out from the activities of the day.
2. Dress for Success
While it’s quite easy to roll out of bed, slip on some tights and meander into your day, you need to be aware of the mindset that that will put you in. If you don’t take care to put thought into how you look, why would you put effort into the work that you are doing? Get up and dress the part.
Feel the difference of actively showing up 100% to your work. When you take time to take care of yourself, that seeps into the rest of your life.
3. Cook
The biggest factor to the success to staying healthy while at home is having nutritious food prepared. Take time to cook a few times a week to everyday! Having healthy options on hand will greatly improve the quality of diet. Where we all struggle is when there is nothing prepared in the fridge. It is at that time we rely on more convenience options – frozen food, take out, chips, sweets, odds and ends. Try some of my great recipes!
Take the time to cut up vegetables, prepare a big salad, meal prep a favorite recipe, grocery shop to have fresh fruit on hand, or simply boil eggs for a snack. These practices can be built into your routine to improve your health, energy, and ability to work effectively from home.
4. Move All Day
Yes, you should be finding movement throughout the day. Take a walk, bike, skateboard, garden, vacuum the house, etc. every 2-3 hours. All of these activities can improve your circulation, attention span, and work quality. Moving will also boost your health and success in helping to reduce the need for caffeine, improve energy and sleep quality, and boost your metabolism.
I love to bike to the local coffee shop to provide services. Biking home for lunch or to check the waves are activity favorites as well!
5. Get Out of the House
Please note, it is very natural to lose your mind if you work from home all day every. single. day. YES you will feel like a crazy person. So get out of the house and shake things up! Can’t leave home due to quarantine? Not to worry! Break up your day with a workout, breathing exercise, or playing with a pet. This will help stimulate your body and mind keeping things fresh.
Written by: Eleanor Baker, MS, RD, LDN
Hi! My name is Eleanor, I have a love for delicious and nutritious dishes, the outdoors, great people, and good times! I am a Registered Dietitian and an enthusiast when it comes to learning about health and how I can help others to feel their best. Learn more about living vibrantly on my site and take your health to the next level with a more individual approach when you meet with me.