Over the last eighteen months, we’ve all had to get used to a new way of life. Working from home has been a great change for many of us, but for others it’s meant working longer days and feeling drained from the extra workload and lack of social interaction. When we feel drained in the evenings after being sat in front of a screen all day, it can be difficult to find the motivation to get active and burn off some calories. The result is many of us feeling even more lethargic and seeing those extra pounds creep on.

Finding new habits to implement into your working from home day could help you feel happier and healthier. I’ve spent years as a work from home mum so I have built up a few tips and tricks in staying active. Let’s take a look at three ways to stay active when working from home. 

Ensure you take regular breaks

This has to be one of the most important aspects of your working day – ensuring you take regular breaks. It can be so easy to stay chained to your desk and computer during the day, worrying that you may miss an important email or call, but seriously – it’s not healthy!

When we work in the office, we naturally take regular breaks by chatting to our colleagues, getting up to make a drink when another colleague does the same and by taking our designated lunch breaks. At home, this can feel a little harder to do, but train yourself to do it!

Get up, make a snack, make a drink, whatever it is that will get your body moving. You’ll benefit from reducing your risk of blood clots (compression socks will also help!), you’ll re-energise your brain so you’re more productive when you return to your desk and you’ll feel less lethargic from having had a lovely hydrating drink. 

Get up early to do a workout

I am a true believer in using your breaks to relax and re-energise, and with this in mind, I think it’s a fantastic idea to get up early to fit in your workout. Yes, I know it seems counter-productive as surely you’d be more tired by getting up earlier, but trust me, an early morning workout will energise your body!

Get up early and go for a run, or try twenty minutes on the spin bike, swing a kettlebell around, or do a few push ups.
It will revolutionise your day. You’ll feel motivated, happier and your skin will be glowing. Try it!

Team up with your workmates for a Zoom sesh

Working from home can feel pretty isolating, so why not suggest to your boss that as part of a team-building exercise that you and your colleagues get together on Zoom to have your own workout sesh.

You could try yoga, pilates, HIIT sessions or aerobics – anything to get your blood pumping and the team bonding!

I hope this post has given you some ideas of how you can stay more active when working from home and inspires you to make small changes that can lead to a happier and healthier lifestyle!