How To Turn Your Home Office Into A Wellness Clinic (And Keep Your Job!)
Working from home is the dream for many people. They have so much more time to do what they want and live life on their own terms.
But, of course, it does involve things that aren’t particularly healthy (like sitting all day).
The trick here is to be creative and inventive. If you can come up with a strategy to turn your home office into a wellness clinic while retaining your job, you’re onto a winner.
But what should you be doing, exactly?
Let’s take a look at some of your options:
Establish Boundaries
First off, you’ll want to establish some boundaries. Laying down the law and telling your employer when you’re available and when you’re not making all the difference in the world.
Remember, remote work is no fun if you’re on call 24/7. While it’s nice not having to commute, the constant stress and tension of not knowing when work is going to get in touch with you is something that can bring you down.
Therefore, always set clear boundaries on your workday from start to finish. Make sure you know exactly where it begins, and where it ends to avoid burnout. Don’t be one of these people who say “yes” all the time. That’s not a good idea.
Keep A Wellness Journal On Your Desk
Another strategy is to keep a wellness journal on your desk. You want something that you can write in when you need to make a note of how you feel. Then, you can track this information over time to see if things improve.
Remember, wellness is about more than just exercising or getting outside. It’s also personal to you and often requires extensive tracking to get right.
Therefore, portion off a part of your day to journaling, whether it’s for your mood, goals, or reflections. Write down what’s going right for you in your home office, and what you need to improve. Every time you read something new online, add it to your journal and (if you think it will work), incorporate it into your job. Don’t ignore it and forget about it. That’s not a good idea.
Stay Nourished
You also want to stay nourished as another powerful way to turn your home office into an oasis. Don’t be one of those people who live off deep-fried bacon and microwaveable burgers–that’s not going to make you feel good.
Staying nourished requires time and effort. But once you figure it out, you will often find that your job becomes easier. You don’t feel as exhausted by sitting in a chair all day, and you have more energy to concentrate on your work, letting you do a better job.
To stay nourished throughout the day, keep a water bottle next to your desk. Make sure you’re sipping from it every few minutes to maintain optimal hydration levels.
Also, ensure you have the right snacks close by. Don’t eat cakes, candies, and baked goods to get you through the day. Stick with things that work, like bean-based snacks, nuts, fruits, and seeds.
You should find that your productivity goes up over time if you adopt this strategy. While being productive isn’t the be-all-and-end-all, it can be helpful in some situations, and in some companies.
Use Technology To Enhance Your Wellness
Next, you can turn your home office into a wellness spa by using technology to enhance your wellness. The more you can use it to support your physical and mental well-being, the better.
For example, get a blue light blocker on your computer. It’ll reduce stress in the afternoons and help you get to sleep in the evenings when you finally hit the sack.
It could also protect your eyes and skin, two tissues that are susceptible to blue light. Intense radiation from screens has been shown to damage skin health, even if it isn’t quite as bad as, say, UV from the sun.
Make Your Desk Height-Adjustable
Investing in adjustable height desks can also help you make your home office more spa-like. These allow you to stand up while you type or get a walking treadmill to place underneath it.
More and more people are waking up to the harms of sitting for long periods. And getting an adjustable desk is a way to avoid these problems. These pieces of furniture are exceptionally versatile, fit into the same footprint as regular desks, and provide plenty of wiggle room.
If you can’t fit a vertical desk into your home office, use a sitting timer. These are helpful for telling you how long you’ve been sitting down and will ring an alarm when you need to stand up.
Add Sound Therapy
Strange as it may sound, adding sound therapy could also be an excellent way to turn your office into a wellness clinic. The right noises can put you in an entirely different frame of mind, helping you relax, unwind, and chill out.
For example, if you’re the sort of person who’s prone to experiencing a lot of stress at work, you could play the sound of rain in your office (even if it is a bright day outside). Many people find this noise naturally soothing.
You could also use white noise if you find that better. It has a way of blocking out unwanted sound-like thoughts, including negative self-talk.
Some people also use binaural beats for increased focus, allowing them to get into the flow state. These can push you into higher levels of concentration, allowing you to focus only on the task in front of you.
Create An Aromatherapy Corner
Adding aromatherapy to your office is another strategy you might consider. Science is showing that new smells can have a powerful effect on how people feel, adjusting their biology. They can even enhance their immune systems.
Therefore, think about investing in a diffuser for the room. Don’t worry: they’re pretty cheap.
You could also burn candles if you prefer that. Many candlemakers now combine regular soy wax with essential oils for delicious perfumed smells.
Add A Movement Corner
In terms of physical activity, you could also add a daily movement corner. These are helpful when you want to stand up, stretch your legs, and generally feel more comfortable.
Most people like to stretch and move around about once per hour. This strategy cuts down on some of the serious, long-term negative effects of prolonged sitting by getting the body to pump more blood.
Your movement corner should ideally have a mat for yoga or even some bars for bodyweight exercise. A few minutes (or even seconds) during each shift can have a profound effect on well-being.
Add More Greenery
Also, you could add more greenery, something that wellness spas do a lot. Plants and shrubs make it feel less like you’re sitting in a sterile, synthetic environment.
Furthermore, many plants add oxygen back to the air and clean out unwanted gases. The more you can include, the better.
Just ensure the plants you choose are set up for indoor life. Succulents and money trees are excellent examples.
Add Ergonomic Furniture
Lastly, consider adding ergonomic furniture to your office to make it more spa-like. You should feel comfortable, at ease, and home with it.
Ergonomic furniture is challenging to find. But once you have it in your home office, it massively reduces the risk of work-related injuries, sprains, and strains.
When buying ergonomic furniture, check the reviews. Ensure people are saying positive things about the products you want to buy. Talk to companies directly if you’re unsure.