by Linda Cann Pearson

Created on: September 04, 2010   Last Updated: February 10, 2012

More and more people today are working from their homes, whether for financial reasons, family obligations or personal choice.  They may be self-employed with a home-based business or work for an employer who offers their employees the opportunity to work from home.

One of the benefits of working outside the home is the opportunity to socially interact with other people on a daily basis, developing friendships inside and outside of work.  A person working at home must make the extra effort to keep in regular contact with people, to maintain a normal and active daily routine, and to prevent themselves from sliding into an unhealthy and reclusive lifestyle.  This is particularly important if the person lives alone.

 
Ways to stay healthy if you work from home:

1)   If you are the type of person that works best with a structured routine, draw up a reasonable work schedule, similar to one you would follow if you worked outside the home:

    *     Set a start time, a lunch hour, and an end time.
    
     *     Start with a healthy and nutritious breakfast to get yourself ready to meet the day.

    *     Schedule a mid-morning break and a mid-afternoon break.  Get up, stretch your legs, have a cup of tea, coffee or juice and a nutritious energy snack.

    *     Schedule a lunch hour.  Have a light lunch, then take a walk.  Run a few errands.  Take a quick trip to the gym for a work-out if you have the time.  Exercise is very important for both mental and physical well-being.

2)   Keep your work space organized, as you would if working for an outside employer.  When designing your work space, think ergonomics - make the space work for you regarding comfort, functionality and increased production.

3)   Make a strong effort to get dressed each day and maintain your daily personal hygiene.  Avoid the temptation to let yourself go, to work all day in your PJs and slippers, thinking no one is there to impress or to care what you look like.  You need to care.
 
4)   If you tend to be a procrastinator, don’t let your work pile up just because no one is there to prod you on.  You have to be your own boss - set your priorities, set reasonable goals and time frames, and get the work done.

5)   If you tend to be a workaholic or a loner, don’t isolate yourself.  Make sure you maintain daily social contact with others.  Meet a friend for lunch.  Telephone someone during one of your breaks.  Don’t just email or twitter.  Take your dog for a walk to get out and be among other people.

One of the potential drawbacks of working at home and working alone is becoming socially isolated and distanced from others, which can often lead to feelings of loneliness, isolation, even depression.  Don’t let this happen to you.  Take the time to socialize.  You will do a better job overall, and you will enjoy a healthy and well-balance lifestyle.



 

   
 

 

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