03/19/2020
Hi everyone! I hope you are all well during this trying time. In this "new normal" that we find ourselves in everyone one of us is working from home, whether you are programmer at your computer all day, a working mom now also being a stay at home teacher, a fitness trainer now being a virtual fitness trainer, or anything in between. We are all in our homes a lot more than we are used to. So how do we stay healthy and fit when we are forced to work from home a lot more than we are used to?
Well here are 10 good tips:
1. Set up a great Home Office
Try to make your office separate than your bedroom or the couch. Lounging in bed or on the couch all day is great on a Sunday, but not when you are trying to get things done!
2. Make your office fun and functional while also being comfortable and welcoming.
You should be in a comfortable space with enough quiet time to get the things done that you need to get done. Make it your own so you don't feel like you literally put a cubicle in your living room! If you love scented candles, place them around your desk. If a beautiful view helps you stay calm, set up your desk in front of a window or within eyesight of artwork you enjoy.
3. Get a comfortable chair
Or even better get a standing chair so you're not sitting for 8 hours at a time! Staying sitting for long periods of time is harder on our bodies than we realize. So try not to do a lot of it. And if you have to sit for a long period of time make sure it is in a comfortable chair that correctly supports you're whole back.
4. Get up every hour and walk around
Even in our small apartments there is still space to walk from one end to the other to get some water and stretch.
5. Get some fresh air
We are on quarantine but that doesn't mean we are in prison. They say it is ok to go outside and take a walk around, walk your dog, go to the park, etc. Just make sure if you are interacting with strangers while outside that you keep a good 6 in barrier between you.
6. Make a schedule and stick to it
It's hard if you wake up everyday thinking of all the things you have to do and then by 6 PM you haven't done 1/2 of them, but you're still in your office right? So just keep working! No. You will go crazy working non stop. So if you're used to working 9-5 with a lunch break at 12:00 try to maintain that schedule and stick to it.
7. Schedule times for workouts
Right these times into your calendar and stick to them. If you see it written in your schedule you're more likely to do it, than if you just tell yourself "I should workout today".
And even better, schedule an appointment with an online trainer, either for a private lesson or a group class! (My next post will tell how you to accomplish that one!)
8. Maintain a healthy "work life balance" - stay social!
Set real work/socialize/rest hours and stick to them. For socializing find ways to stay connected to your friends and family regularly through phone, FaceTime, messenger, etc. Group chats are a great way to feel like your group of friends are still connected.
9. Keep a lot of healthy snacks and meals on hand
Even though we are on lock down we can still order chinese food and even go pick up McDonalds if we wanted to do so. Keep good snacks: fruit, nuts, popcorn, etc. around so when the urge hits to run to the kitchen you are ready! And when the urge hits to call in for MuShu delivery see if you can make a healthy dinner instead
10. Get showered and dressed like you are going to work
It's hard to get motivated to get things done when you are in your pajamas all day! You will definitely be more likely to stay in bed in that case. So in stay dress for a comfortable work day and then get back in to comfy clothes when you "get home from work"!
