7 Working-from-home tips to keep you healthy and energized

Tip 2: Create an awesome work-from-home setup
(even if it's a nook between the bedroom closets...)

Maybe you have an entire room to use for an office, or maybe you’re posting up at the kitchen counter. Even in a small home or apartment, it’s important to designate a space that acts as your official office. I don’t have a lot of space to work with, but that didn’t stop me from creating my own little office nook in our second bedroom (tucked right in between two closets). The trick is to make it a space you actually want to work from every day. If you dread sitting at your desk, you’ll avoid work and find yourself in a serious slump.

Furniture is a big part of creating the space you want

Furniture is a big part of creating the space you want 

With only 3’ x 4’ available for my “office,” I turned to Fully for a small adjustable height standing desk that fits in this small space, but still allows me to change from sitting to standing throughout the day.

I also chose a chair—the HAG Capisco—that is designed to encourage my body to change positions, and to support itself when sitting. My Topo anti-fatigue mat makes it more comfortable to stand, and it has a nice mound in the center that gives my feet a nice pressure massage, and encourages me to stand longer. (I’ve even thought of taking it into the kitchen for when the dishes pile up).

Tip 3: Prep for stressful situations

It’s helpful to have some good stress management tools to keep you level-headed, productive, and solutions-focused. 

Here are a few things I incorporate throughout my day to keep stress levels low:

• Keep a clean and organized work space with a simple, clutter-free desk and room.

• Organize your work schedule. Block out time to address email, projects and recurrent meetings. We use (and I love) Asana, which is a work management tool, that helps me organize all my work projects and daily to-dos into one place so that they aren’t heavy on my mind. Asana sends me an email every morning with my compiled list of daily to-dos so that I can see my tasks all at once and start checking them off one-by one.

• Take mini breaks between projects and calls:

• Take the dog for a quick walk around the block.
• Step outside and soak up some sun.
• Eat lunch outside.
• Take a 5-10 minute stretch or exercise break. 

• Listen to music throughout the day. I switch back and forth between encouraging, positive and fun music to hammer out tedious tasks, and soothing music for focus and productivity. My peaceful and productive “go-to” favorite is “Relaxdaily” found on Youtube and Spotify.

• Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! Get a large water bottle or cup that makes you happy and encourages you to drink throughout the day. I keep it on my desk and my WaterMinder app reminds me to drink as often as I want (I choose hourly reminders), and it also tracks my daily water intake.

Tip 4: Get moving!

With the right planning, you can incorporate everything from subtle, natural movements to full exercises into your day, all while staying productive.

Even the simple act of adjusting my body position based on my tasks makes all the difference on my mood, engagement and productivity.

Stand for conference calls and meetings

Doing so keeps me feeling awake, energized and engaged in the conversation, instead of potentially being too comfy or sluggish in my chair. It can also serve as a conversation starter and encourage your colleagues and clients to join you standing. 

Sit in an active chair for more intensive work

I sit in my Capisco chair while writing emails and working on things that require more concentration.

Take easy calls outside

If I’m on an informal call where minimal or no note taking is required, I enjoy stepping outside for some sunlight, to get in some extra steps, and to spur creative thinking. If the weather is bad, I’ll simply pace around the apartment or grab the dumbbells (strategically positioned under my desk) to do some arm or leg exercises.

Really move before, during, and after work

I also rely on my Apple Watch to tell me when to get up and move about once every hour. I do a few things to get more movement in during these breaks:

• Set a goal to hit a certain number of squats and lunges by the end of the day. Start small and progress daily. Switch it up by doing a variety of lunges and squats to keep it fun.

• Stretch while you stand.

• Listen to music with a good beat that’ll make you move and boost your mood.

• The Fitness Marshall and POPSUGAR Fitness are my two favorite free Youtube channels that make exercising fun, quick and easy so it doesn’t feel like a chore. 

• After work, I enjoy working out with the Peloton app which hosts a variety of workout videos and offers a free 90 day trial.