You may not realize it, but there are a lot of ways your home office could be making you sick.
Working at home puts you in close proximity to dust mites, mold spores, allergens, and other contaminants that can cause respiratory problems. Your desk might be covered in pet hair, which can trigger allergies. And if you’re not using an air purifier, you might be breathing in dangerous particles that aren’t filtered out.
The increased freedom of remote work invites a flurry of unhealthy habits to crop up as well, including poor eating. Not to mention the sinister and dangerous consequences of sitting for hours, uninterrupted.
Thankfully, as humans, we can adapt to the new working style at home, and create a new routine to keep the office clean, and ourselves healthy to put our best foot forward at work.
If you’ve ever had a cold, like the majority of the world, you know that getting sick can be miserable. But what if you could prevent yourself from getting sick?
We are here to show you how to target health and sickness issues from remote work at the root, and make sure your office space and routine are built to optimize your health and wellness as much as possible.
The first step is to understand why we get sick in the first place. According to Dr. Mark Hyman, author of “The UltraMind Solution,” our bodies are designed to heal themselves. Our immune system is meant to protect us from disease by identifying and destroying pathogens before they cause harm. When this fails, it sends out signals to our body to stop working, which causes inflammation and illness.
Strengthening the immune system is therefore the priority, and we will show you how.
Develop an Exercise Routine, and Stick With It
Doctors encourage workers to prioritize developing a good exercise routine when working remotely, which will effectively curb the damage potentially done by inactivity from sitting at home.
“I don’t think it’s going to be a problem,” says Dr. Stephen Smith, director of the Center for Human Nutrition at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. “Most people who are working from home already have some sort of exercise routine they perform regularly anyway.” When you exercise regularly, the agents that cause illness have a harder journey making you sick. Make sure it is as difficult as possible.
Prioritize Healthy Eating
The same goes for eating habits. If you don’t eat right, it could lead to serious health problems like heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure.
To avoid this, doctors recommend getting plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fats. Your diet at home is more important than you realize, so if you want to be producing your best work, make sure that you are feeding yourself with the best nutrients to set you up for that.
Another aid to consider are Probiotics. Probiotics are live bacteria that help balance the gut microbiome. The gut microbiome plays a key role in immune function, digestion, and overall health. By taking probiotic supplements, you can reduce inflammation, boost immunity, and improve digestive health.
Keep Your Office Clean
How can I properly clean my home office? It may be more simple than you think. Keeping a clean space is vital, and it is not impossible.
The first step to cleaning your home office is to remove all clutter from the area. Next, you should use a vacuum cleaner to pick up any dust particles. If you have a pet it is especially important to clean all of its hair from your space, and using a vacuum is a good way to get it all.
Finally, wipe down surfaces using a damp cloth.
Installing an air purifying device can be a great solution to removing dangerous particles from the air you breathe as well.
Don't Overwork Yourself
The link between mental state and physical state is incredibly powerful, and for both to thrive, you need to respect both.
According to Dr. Mark Hyland, author of “the UltraMind Solution,’ our bodies are extremely responsive to stress and fatigue. This means that if you continue to push yourself too hard, you will eventually become ill.
To prevent this, you should take breaks throughout the day to relax and recharge. You can do this by simply walking around the house, meditating, or even reading a book.
You also need to ensure that you are sleeping enough. Sleep is imperative to make sure that your body is rested and ready for the next day of hard work.
By following these pieces of advice, you will not only find that your body is feeling stronger and ready for more work, but you will feel better all around – physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Make your health a priority, and discover just what improved health can unlock for your productivity and creativity.
