4 Simple Ways to Stay Happy and Healthy While Working from Home

May 27, 2021


By Jason Eisenberg
Community Program Manager for Office Depot

In 2020 the global workforce underwent accelerated changes, which included a shift from in-office employees to remote. A study by Statista indicates that before 2020, about “17% of US employees worked from home 5(+) days per week, a share that increased to 44% in 2020.” While this transition came with tons of headaches from employers and employees alike, many companies learned that flexible/remote work can be a boon to a business’ productivity and longevity when it comes to their employees.

Recent research by Flexjobs shows that many companies are opting into the idea of long-term remote work as it can benefit employees who are seeking a better balance with work and life, which in turn can improve productivity and efficiency in their work. So, while some businesses begin to open up for those who are ready to get back into the office, many will continue to offer remote options for the long term.  

Some of Office Depot’s #DiscoverDepot customers who are also business owners shared some of their personal tips on how they focus on happiness and health while working from home, which in turn leads to more focus, productivity and energy in the long run.


1) Surround yourself with inspiration

@michalchernow

It can be difficult to stay motivated throughout the day when you stay in the same home office, in the same house, day after day. Couple that with everyday hiccups involving home and work life at the same time – it can get a bit stressful and overwhelming.

Aside from trying these specific tips to help reduce stress when working from home, entrepreneur Michael Chernow shares a quick tip on how he breaks the monotony of his workdays and keeps himself, investors and friends motivated during tough and uncertain times.

 

Michael, founder of @kreaturesofhabit, shares that he uses Office Depot to get most of his printing projects done – but that’s not the only benefit. He also uses the print services to boost creativity as well.


“I had these posters printed for @kreaturesofhabit and am sending them out to investors and friends, and hanging them on the walls of my office to remind me that we can still keep business going from home.”

Bottom line: don’t be afraid to make your home office/workspace your own den of creativity. If you have it. Print it and flaunt it.


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2) Make your office physically comfortable

@whatalexsees

Did you know that most workplaces have safety standards enforced by federal regulations? This guidance is used to help workers stay mentally and physically healthy while on the job. However there are no federal regulations for your workplace at home.


That’s why Alex Bland shares her experience after buying a few health and wellness products from Office Depot. Alex, an entrepreneur with a 9-5 career, explains that she has been working from home a lot and didn’t expect some of the challenges she would face.

 

“I didn’t anticipate how big of a role health and wellness would play into my ability to perform my job,” she said. “My acrylic desk chair is cute but it’s not ideal for a 30-something year old back to be sitting in for 10+ hours a day.”


While it’s not recommended to sit in place for 10 hours in a day, it’s a reality many WFH employees and business owners are doing just that. If that’s the case, a more suitable chair or even a standing desk could help in the back department.

Alex suggests in her post that putting some time and energy into health and wellness can go a long way when it comes to your physical health while working from home. For her, it was a back massager to help cope with sitting in a chair all day and an air purifier to address potential breathing issues such as allergies, pet dander, and odors.


3) Save time to balance work & life

@meaganaward

As mentioned before, living and working at home simultaneously can get overwhelming. Having a strong planning and organization strategy (whether it’s for home, work or both) can help mitigate some stress and confusion, but what about incidents you didn’t plan for? Meagan Ward, founder of Femology, is working to “ensure (her) 6-figure design business that (she) runs from home is operating seamlessly so (she) can spend more time with family.”

 

How has she been doing this for the last five years? She uses Office Depot’s 24-7 tech services. She shares her experience of being able to get rid of a virus and transfer all of her client files to more secure systems. “It’s like having an in-house tech team, but without the big bill.”

 

Business owners can also save time by having their printing done for them so they can focus on their strengths and priorities. Try ordering your marketing, brochures or documents online and picking up in-store. 


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4) Have a dedicated workspace

@totallymeaga​n

Digital creator Meagan Miller shared 10 tips on how to work more effectively at home and you should check all of them out. Since we are focusing more on the ‘happy and healthy’ aspect, here are a few tidbits from her post in that regard:

-        Designate a comfortable workspace

-        Stay hydrated

-        Move around/go outside

-        Plan what needs to be done for the day 


Having a comfortable work setup is beneficial for your body and mind, plus it gives way to creating a designated workspace in your home.


Have you tried some of these health and wellness ideas while working from home? Want to share your WFH setup and how it helps your business? You can post on Instagram and tag #DiscoverDepot to get discovered. If you'd like to be featured as an Office Depot ambassador, sign up here! 


All content provided herein is for educational purposes only. It is provided “as is” and Office Depot does not warrant the accuracy of the information provided, nor does it assume any responsibility for errors, omissions or contrary interpretation of the subject matter herein.