Guest article from tvtraydesk.com.
Photo by Ken Tomita
Working as a digital entrepreneur can have many upsides: you set your own hours, you can work in your comfy pants, and you can care for your young ones instead of sending them to daycare!
However, the work-from-home lifestyle can become pretty overwhelming. While remote work is overall healthier for us, the lifestyle isn’t without its drawbacks. Here’s how you can avoid getting sucked into a round-the-clock work cycle.
1. Establishing Concrete Office Hours
When bills are due can be tempting to pick up a few extra hours – especially when freelancing from your living room. However, having steady clock-in and clock-out hours can make a major difference in your mental state and productivity.
Frequent overtime has been linked to high blood pressure and anxiety, to name a few. And it can be far too easy to work overtime when your office is in your living room! When there’s no building to leave at the end of the day, or timecard to stamp on your way out, it can sometimes feel like your day never truly ends.
By establishing solid start and end times to your day, you’ll have a much more stable work schedule, and far better work-life balance!
2. Getting Fresh Air and Sunlight Regularly
Photo by Jens Mahnke
Needing a “breath of fresh air” isn’t just a saying. Getting outside and enjoying some sunlight are quite important for mental health! Studies have shown that even just a few minutes outside can work wonders in reducing stress levels and regulating one’s mood.
It can be hard for remote workers to take time to get some fresh air during the workday. When your office contains a couch and kitchen, there’s no need to go out to get lunch, or go for a brief drive just to have some rest. It can be all too easy to grab a snack and take your lunch break in the living room. However, make the effort a couple of times a week to take a brisk walk or read outside during your break. Your body and mind will thank you.
3. Utilizing Slow Cookers
Working from home often means being glued to your screen to get everything done- from meetings to paperwork to personal errands. Those that work from home may be tempted to cram more tasks into a day, which can make it harder to have nutritious, filling meals. But don’t turn to protein bars and fast food just yet!
A slow cooker can be set early in the morning, and timed to be ready by lunchtime or dinnertime. By having the slow cooker working in the background, you’ll still have a hot, healthy meal waiting for you come breaktime.
Conclusion
Photo by Anastasia Shuraeva
While working from home can be a great way to balance work and life, a different kind of balancing act is needed to maintain a healthy, active lifestyle. Keeping these tips in mind can help you manage everything without forgetting yourself in the process.