Are you turning into a Teletubby?

When I started working at a consulting firm last March, I had to adapt and acclimate myself to a much different work environment from which I am accustomed, to include working from home on occasion. While this can be a dream scenario for some, I quickly discovered telecommuting has its’ challenges, too. 

After a few days at home, working several hours non-stop, with minimal breaks, I found myself feeling physically horrible, and going stir crazy. There was little separation between work and home, and my days were beginning to blur. Despite maintaining regular bathing rituals and a daily visit to the gym, I felt stale and isolated.  The monotony of staring at numbers for a QC task was making me loopy and fatigued. To get energy, I reached for fast-digesting, empty calorie foods to keep going. As deadlines approached, I craved more empty carbs! My body ached from hardly moving. I needed a break. I needed to move. I needed fresh air. I needed it fast! I stepped away from my laptop for a much needed break and reflected on how I was feeling. That’s when it dawned on me: I was turning into a Teletubby!!

The term Teletubby is a reference to blob-shaped puppets from a BBC kids show in the 1990s, but it also reflected how I felt and was starting to look after staring at my computer all day, fueling myself with junk and barely moving. That’s when I realized, telecommuting – despite its’ alluring appeal – presents some challenges for staying healthy, just like the typical office environment.

Along with a need to create and adopt new structure and balance strategies in my workday, I discovered it was equally important for me to implement some new ‘workplace’ wellness behaviors to maximize my effectiveness when working at home. Based on my experience, here are some tips for staying fit (and sane) when working from home:

• Take regular breaks to give your eyeballs a rest and get the blood and oxygen flowing to your brain and limbs
• Every hour or so, climb the stairs, do a set of 100 jumping jacks, or squat in place for a minute
• Run outside to get the mail
• Set up a standing workstation so you’re not sitting all day
• Incorporate household chores into your breaks (load the washer, switch clothes to the dryer, fold and put away clothes; sweep and dust one room at a time; make the bed)
• Stay hydrated and fueled with nourishing foods
• Do not keep unhealthy snack foods in the house
• Do not keep unhealthy snack foods in the house (this one’s worth repeating)
• When you reach for a snack, ask yourself, “Am I really hungry – or just stress noshing?”
• Take out the garbage (and toss any junk food that may contribute to low productivity or a Teletubby physique)
• Play with your pet (play catch with your canine; lure your feline to attack and chase toys) 
• Set a reasonable and realistic start and end to your workday and stick to it  
• Pick up the phone or send a funny note to a colleague when you’re feeling isolated
• Spy on your neighbors and pick up some new landscaping/home decorating ideas

Admittedly, the last two items are a little off the wall, but I am writing this after a day of being cooped up inside. On that note, it’s time for me to sign off and call it a day.

Kerri L. Mikeska, MHRM, PHR, NASM-CPT

What has your body done for you today? What have you done for it?

http://www.completefitnessconcepts.com/