1. Keep Office Hours

You know that flexibility I mentioned before? How it’s such a luxury to set your own schedule when you work from home? Well, it can also be a curse if you don’t make and stick to a regular work schedule. It’s super important that you have a set start time in the morning, a planned lunch time, and a quitting time in the afternoon. For your health and sanity’s sake, you must stick to these office hours.

2. Get Ready Like You’re Going to Work

When you work from home, it’s super easy to roll out of bed, grab a cup of coffee, and head to the computer. But that’s not good for you. I highly recommend starting your day with a good breakfast, a shower, and a morning routine that includes getting dressed. Yes, you work from home and you might not see a living soul all day long, but you’ll feel better about yourself if you take the time to brush your teeth, comb your hair, and put on a nice outfit. I believe you’ll also be more productive.

3. Get Some Fresh Air

It can be easy to lose track of time and end up spending the entire day at your desk when you work from home. But to be happy and healthy, you need to leave the house and get some fresh air every once in a while! At least twice per day, I strongly recommend stepping away from your desk for 15-20 minutes to go outside. Take the dog for a walk, run a quick errand, heck, maybe just go fetch the mail. Just get outside and into the sunshine!

4. Exercise Daily

Take advantage of the flexibility of working from home by incorporating a little bit of physical exercise into every day. This doesn’t have to be complicated, and you don’t have to go to a gym. A 15-minute walk in your neighborhood will do wonders for your health and your attitude. So will some yoga or a quick mile on a treadmill or exercise bike. I promise, you’ll feel so much better afterwards.

5. Take Time for Healthy Snacks

When you step away from your desk for that fresh air I mentioned above, take a moment to have a healthy snack like an apple or granola bar. I’ve learned that I’m less likely to overeat at mealtimes, or to snack between meals on unhealthy junk food, if I fuel up with a healthy snack before lunch and late in the afternoon.

6. Eat Real Meals

It’s easy to get so into your work that you decide to work through lunch. I can’t tell you how easy it is to develop this bad habit, but it’s also so easy to avoid. Set an alarm for noon (or whatever time you prefer), and when the alarm goes off, stop what you’re doing and leave your desk for 15-20 minutes. Go eat something good for you. It doesn’t have to be complicated; a peanut butter and jelly sandwich is certainly an acceptable lunch. Eat it while sitting outside enjoying the afternoon, and when lunch is over, you’ll be raring to get back to work.

7. Be Social

When you work from home, it’s not hard to become a loner. Trust me, I know. That’s why being social and maintaining friendships is so important. I highly recommend that once or twice a month, you plan a lunch date with a friend or colleague. This is so good for you because it gets you out of the house, away from work, and gives you a chance to visit with a friend. We all need that socialization.

8. Take Eye Breaks

If your work requires you to spend a lot of time at the computer, you’re at risk for eye strain and dry eyes, which can also lead to headaches. Make sure to schedule several eye breaks throughout the day, even if it’s just a few minutes at a time. Your eyes will thank you for it.

9. Stay Hydrated by Drinking Water

I’ve found that when I drink at least 8 glasses of water per day, I feel better, look better, and I’m happier. Water is truly a must-have for a happy, healthy life, and I can’t over-emphasize the importance of drinking plenty to keep yourself hydrated throughout the work day.

10. Don’t Overschedule

Because we all want to be successful, we’re so prone to overscheduling and over-extending ourselves. Don’t do it. Don’t over-plan your work day or your personal life. Don’t take on more than you’re capable of doing, and don’t be afraid to say no. Sometimes it’s just necessary to say no to someone else so that you can say yes to taking care of yourself.

Thanks to www.bestkeepself.stfi.re