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Working From Home And Looking After Your Wellbeing

Working From Home And Looking After Your Wellbeing
31 March 2020
 

How can you keep your wellbeing in check whilst isolated from your colleagues? David English from AJ Products UK, gives us some tips on maintaining our mental wellbeing whilst working from home.  

AJ Products is a supplier of workplace furniture and interior solutions that focuses on ways to solve the problem of a sedentary workday. As a member of ukactive, an independent not-for-profit organisation that aims to promote active lifestyles, the company is committed to making workplaces healthier and more active through an innovative and ever-growing range of sit-stand furniture and by raising public awareness of the health risks of prolonged sitting.

 

“While it may be tempting to sit on your sofa with your laptop balanced on your knees, that’s not a healthy way to work. Not only does it put you in the wrong frame of mind for working effectively, it is also really bad for your posture and can lead to long-term neck and back pain. “

–David English

Managing Director, AJ Products UK

Why wellbeing is just as important at home as it is at work

 

Due to the current situation, many people are finding themselves working from home for the first time. This can pose many challenges and it’s a big change if you’re used to working in a busy office. It’s easy to neglect your general wellbeing at a time like this but it’s just as important to make sure you have a comfortable and productive work environment while working from home. 

Setting strict office hours, staying in regular contact with your colleagues and the right home office furniture can all make a big difference. Here are some tips from AJ Products to help you stay taking care of your physical and mental health while working remotely.

 

Stick to a routine

 

Working from home doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have a defined workday. If you have kids at home, you may need to adjust your work hours to accommodate childcare but try to stick to normal office hours as much as possible. Get up, get dressed and start your day at the same time as normal. At the end of the workday, turn off your computer, sign out of work emails and enjoy your free time.

 

Separate your work and home life

 

Try to create a home office space where you can focus on your work. If you have kids or pets at home, try to separate your workspace from the rest of the house to prevent distractions: close the door if you can or set a schedule so that everyone knows when you need to concentrate or join a conference call. Set aside break times to spend with the kids where they know they have your full attention. Clear boundaries make it easier for everyone.

 

Set up a proper work area

 

While it may be tempting to sit on your sofa with your laptop balanced on your knees, that’s not a healthy way to work. Not only does it put you in the wrong frame of mind for working effectively, it is also really bad for your posture and can lead to long-term neck and back pain. Ideally, you should sit up properly at a desk on an ergonomic office chair that will give you the right support. Your workstation should allow you to sit with your wrists and forearms flat on the desktop with your elbows at 90° and the top of your screen at eye level.

 

Keep in touch with your co-workers

 

Use the phone, online video conferencing, instant messaging tools, etc. to talk to your colleagues throughout the workday. There are a lot of tools available to ensure you can continue working as a team, such as Slack or Microsoft Teams. A daily team catch up will keep you focused on common goals and boost morale.

 

Exercise

 

There are still lots of ways to do this indoors and outdoors. Getting out for some fresh air and a change of scenery will be good for both your physical and mental health, so take a break from your work and go for a walk. Another great way to boost your energy levels is by doing a mini workout at home. This could be as simple as incorporating basic exercises into your workday, such as sitting down and standing up ten times in a row or running up and down the stairs. 

 

If you want to get your heart rate up, do a fitness video in your lunch break or a 10-minute high-intensity workout on an exercise bike if you have one. Active office furniture is another easy way to keep moving. A sit-stand desk allows you to change your position throughout the day to reduce the health risks associated with sitting for long hours while an active chair keeping your body moving even while you sit at your desk. Not only is exercise good for your physical health, it can also relieve stress, improve your mood and help you sleep better. 

 

Ask for help

 

If you’re struggling to work effectively away from the office, share your concerns with your colleagues and manager. They can share their experiences and help you come up with strategies for staying focused and productive.

AJ Products are offering 15% off your order with ajproducts.co.uk until 30 June 2020. Use code TWINFM2020.

Picture: David English from AJ Products UK, gave us some tips on maintaining our mental wellbeing whilst working from home.  

Article written by David English | Published 31 March 2020

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