This is a guest blog post from Eleanor Wyatt. She hits on the basics! Enjoy.

Whether you are new to working from home because of the pandemic or you’ve made remote work a way of life for years, you have probably already found out that it’s not easy to prioritize yourself during your working hours. But, prioritize your health you must. Here are a few tips on how.

• Find a creative outlet. When you think about your health, you might not think about your mental health. But, you have to. Fortunately, being creative is about the most fun you can have making your health a priority. Remember, you don’t have to have the talent to be creative. The Mary The Medicine Woman blog has discussed creativity before and says a few great ways to connect with your inner artist are to go outside or meditate.

• Get comfortable. One of the best parts about remote work is that you can pretty much dress however you want. But, remember that what you wear can improve or lessen your confidence levels. Make a point to invest in clothing that helps you be your professional best while also enjoying comfort. Leggings, a comfortable bra, or, on the days you don’t have a Zoom meeting, a plush robe, will all go a long way to keeping you productive while you work and cozy while you cuddle with the kids.

• Create a positive environment. Your environment matters more than you might think. And, when you don’t change environments – you’re not driving to an office and back each day – your home space can hold onto the negative energy of a bad day at work. Stop this in its tracks by keeping your home and workspaces both clean and organized. If moving between your home office and your living room continues to suck the good mood right out of you, you can reduce anxiety and improve your focus by removing unnecessary clutter.

• Emphasize organization. Organization goes far beyond just how you keep your space clean. You must also keep your digital files organized. If you’re not already doing so, use workflow management software to keep you and your team on the same track.

• Set boundaries. It’s not easy working from home when you have kids and family sharing your space. You have to set boundaries, otherwise, your son will come into your office every 15 minutes and your husband/wife won’t think twice about making the bed behind you. FlexJobs recommends setting a specific start and stop time each day and making sure your family understands what cues mean you’re busy. This might be shutting the door or wearing a pair of headphones.

• Eat well. Your overall health is largely determined by the food that you put into your body. Fortunately, since you’re home, you can spend your lunch hour eating healthy meals instead of sitting at the drive-through. Stock up on healthy food options, such as lean proteins, and plan to have a salad at least a few times each week. Not sure how to make the perfect salad? Cleveland Clinic walks you through the process, which starts with greens and ends with a colorful, crunchy, and delicious lunch. 

It’s easy to let your own health and wellness slip by when you’re working and living in the same space. But, if you want to be the best employee, entrepreneur, partner, friend, and parent, you have to give up these roles temporarily and just be you focusing on the things you need. The tips above can get you started, but don’t be shy about taking whatever time or actions you need to feel your very best.

Mary Sheehan of Mary The Medicine Woman knows that wellness is not just a matter of the drugs you take and the doctors you see. In that vein of thought, the pharmacist and women’s health advocate routinely shares posts about how to take control of your health. Today’s blog is one of these.

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