New to working from home full time? Ensure you stay productive by not letting yourself fall into these unhealthy habits
This story was first published on August 24, 2020, and updated on June 16, 2021.
Additional reporting by Andrea Saadan.
Working from home has become increasingly popular as stay-at-home and social distancing restrictions have been put in place in response to Covid-19. And while at first glance most of us were over the moon at the prospect of spending our working hours at home, it can actually be a lot more difficult than it seems to strike a healthy balance between work and play when everything is centred around your apartment building.
In order to ensure you stay productive and balanced while working from home more frequently than you may have in the past, we asked a handful of life coaches and career advisors for their insight on the most commonly occurring unhealthy habits or misplaced best practices to watch out for. From wearing loungewear all day to not laying out boundaries with your colleagues, here’s what to avoid as you settle into your at-home office.
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1. Giving up the time used during your morning commute
At first glance, not having to hop on the train or commute into the office seems like a wonderful time-saver, but you’d be surprised by how this mindless task can have an influence on your day-to-day life. If you usually spend your 20-minute train ride reading a novel or listening to a podcast, try working that into your morning routine before you sit down at your desk.
On the other hand, if you’re used to walking to the office, consider getting that same number of steps in before you start your day and continuing to stay active throughout the workday. “Sitting for long periods of time can lead to back and neck pain, poor posture, muscle weakness, numbness and tingling, and poor circulation,” explains Lisa Alemi, Certified Athletic Trainer and Physical Therapist. “I always recommend getting out of the chair at least one time every hour. Walking around for two to five minutes is ideal, but standing for that same period of time will work too!”
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