Working From Home? 13 Ways To Beat A Sedentary Lifestyle

Remote work continues to gain steam in the American workforce, with 56% of professionals now working in telecommute-compatible jobs. This number will likely grow in the coming years as more and more individuals choose to join the gig economy and work for themselves as freelancers.

While working from home offers numerous benefits, it also makes it easier to slip into a sedentary lifestyle. When your commute is from your bedroom to your home office or living room, you need to proactively plan movement and exercise into your day.

According to Forbes Coaches Council, here are a few easy ways the work-from-home crowd can fight the urge to spend all day on the couch.

1. Move Every 90 Minutes

Statistics show that people should be moving every 90 minutes to shift their energy levels. Managing your energy is the most important thing to keep your mind fresh and productive. Get up and take a walk, take the stairs, walk to a coffee shop to get a break, take a lunch break, have an accountability buddy to meet at the gym to get you out of the house in the morning, lunch, or after work. – Monica Thakrar, MTI

2. Get An Adjustable Sit/Stand Desk

A leading cause of illness and injury is improper ergonomics combined with sitting at your desk all day. Make sure your setup allows for proper posture and body mechanics. The best strategy you can take is to get yourself a sit/stand adjustable desk and make a habit of adjusting it to standing height at least a few times a day. If you find you forget, just set a timer and also remember to move. – Laura DeCarlo, Career Directors International

3. Block Time On Your Calendar To Get Out Of The House

One of the perks of freelancing and working from home is the power to control one’s own calendar. Blocking out time for certain activities such as the gym, coffee with colleagues, and professional development out of the office (think library or park) can provide relief from the isolation of working alone. It also keeps the body moving. It’s important to not schedule over these activities. – Barbara OMalley, Exec Advance LLC

4. Establish A Morning Exercise Routine

If you work from home, it can become a habit to “ease” into your day slowly. Instead, I recommend starting your day with a morning routine. I especially recommend starting your morning practice with exercise, preferably at a gym or location outside of your home. Get your day going with a commitment to an early morning exercise session and then see your productivity increase with renewed energy. – Cori Burchell, Dear Miss Millionaire

5. Get A Co-Working Space Membership 

It can get lonely working as a solopreneur/freelancer. Get a co-working membership to share space with other creatives and entrepreneurs. There are so many options to choose from these days, you can find a space at any price point. From coffee shop meet-ups during the day to WeWork spaces, options are endless. These co-working spaces also offer incredible networking opportunities. – Leanne Wong, Leanne Wong

6. Take Five Minutes To Go Outside

As a freelancer, when every moment counts, it can feel wasteful to take a break. But your physical wellness is a foundational element of your success. Taking a five-minute break to go outdoors decreases stress, enhances focus and improves your mood. Even three breaks a day uses up less than 1% of your day and offers significant benefits, so get moving and get outside. – Jessica Glazer, Center for Creative Leadership

7. Intentionally And Holistically Connect With Yourself And Others

Schedule a time to connect intentionally to your mind, body and spirit. This may include meditation, mindfulness exercises, prayer or deep breaths (mind), a walk, a yoga class, gym workout or a movement break (body), or regularly scheduled virtual coffee or lunch connections, coaching sessions, and actual social media engagement in lieu of mindless scrolling and passive observation (spirit). – Tonyalynne Wildhaber, The Courage Practice

8. Build Movement Into Your Work Activities

To leverage the freedom I have while working from home, I do many of my calls while walking. I plan walking meetings with many of my clients who are also happy to have a movement break. I bike to clients when possible. Build movement into your routines so you can meet your productivity goals and your physical goals. – Maureen Metcalf, Metcalf & Associates, Inc

9. Prioritize Work-Life Balance

You schedule workouts, downtime, breaks and mindfulness events like you would in a busy office where work-life balance seems so important. Treating your home-based work like a Fortune 500 office is essential for taking the work seriously. You may have more flexibility, but find best practice work environment ideas and use them wherever you are, wherever you work. – John M. O’Connor, Career Pro Inc.

10. Measure Your Steps Daily

If you work from home, there likely will be a moment when you suddenly realize that people stuck in wheelchairs are physically taking more steps than you are each day. This shocking epiphany rarely presents itself until you start consciously measuring your daily steps. So, get an app for your phone or an activity tracker. As in other facets of good business, measuring is a key to success. – Robin Blakely, Creative Center of America

11. Take A Water Break Every 25 minutes 

Set up a timer to work for 25 minutes straight with no distractions. When the timer rings, make it your trigger point to get up and grab a glass of water. This will boost your activity and energy. This allows you to get more focused work done as well as get the water and movement your body needs. – Aditi Ramchandani, Aditi Creative International

12. Follow The 50:10 Rule

For every 50 minutes of work, take a 10-minute break. On this break, get up and move — go for a walk or do some push-ups. Do something non-work related, ideally involving nature. This not only improves your physical health, but actually improves your ability to solve complex problems and maintain high effectiveness for longer periods of time. – Doc Norton, CTO2

13. Invest In Home-Exercise Equipment

One of the best things you can do when working from home is invest in a piece of exercise equipment. When working from home, I can catch up on email, review client documents, schedule calls, and contribute to company meetings — all from my treadmill. If I want a harder workout, I prop my tablet on the treadmill so I don’t have to hold it. The little things we do every day make a big difference. – Erin Kennedy, Professional Resume Services, Inc.

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