Whether you work from home or in a small office, it can be very easy to fall into unhealthy habits, but an unhealthy lifestyle will eventually get in the way of your business. If you want to be a successful entrepreneur, you need to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
It is particularly important for people who work from home to get out and enjoy some sunshine. Health experts recommend you take a break from looking at a computer screen every two hours. Even going for a brief walk rests your eyes and gets your blood flowing around the muscles of your body.
In a workplace, you would get up and walk to the photocopier, the water cooler, a meeting room, or the lunchroom over the course of a working day. However, when you work from home, everything is usually within a small space of your home office, and your contacts are on the phone or email, rather than gathering at the water cooler. You walk outside to get to and from your car or transport too.
This means that people who work from home have to take extra care to get enough exercise and to get outside for fresh air and vitamin D intake (via sunshine) to stay focused. If you have a lap top computer and can work outside, sit out on the deck or in a local park for a couple of hours while you work. One of the reasons people like to work from home is the freedom to get out of the traditional office structure, so why not enjoy the benefits and work in pleasant surroundings.
Healthy habits will also make your creative work easier. Most small business entrepreneurs find they can start the workday earlier, because they have reduced the commuting time from home to office. This does not necessarily mean you should work more hours than you would have if you continued to work a traditional nine to five job. If you used to go to the gym on the way to work, continue this healthy habit.
Your body needs exercise and physical activity every day. Sitting in front of a computer for endless hours will leave you feeling tired, stressed, and strained, as your eyes, head, neck, and shoulders get sore. Planning some regular exercise and breaks into your workday is essential to maintain your focus and your health.
Remember the two-hour rule and plan to take a break every two hours. Go for a walk, get some fresh air, or do some other form of exercise. Even mopping the kitchen floor can be enough to give your body and mind a break from the creative work you are doing at home.
We’ve all been told healthy bodies lead to healthy minds – it’s true. If you feeling sluggish or unmotivated, try going for a jog or a brisk walk, working out at the gym, or going for a swim. When you return to work, you will find your creative mind is more active and you are able to solve problems easier. Exercise pumps your blood to your brain and effectively wakes up every cell in your body. If you maintain a healthy exercise regime, you will find your work at home is more productive.
The following websites provide some information on healthy exercise habits and ways small business entrepreneurs can stay healthy!
www.healthfitness.com.au
www.workcover.nsw.gov.au – workingfromhome
www.weightloss.com.au/home-workouts
www.aussietycoon.com
Plan your working day to include healthy exercise, fresh air, sunshine, and other healthy habits. You will find you work more efficiently and creatively when your body is healthy.
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