Don’t take it personally; it happens with any field that sits a lot, especially at home. I just wanted to reach out to fellow writers and entrepreneurs. It really applies to anyone who finds themselves sitting for long periods of the day, working or not.
It is our dream, as new entrepreneurs, to have a career that allows for flexibility and a higher quality of life to be shared with our loved ones. Shaving a couple hours off our day by not having to commute is a great start, but so is the ability to work when we want, or can.
However, it also often leads to less movement and poor eating habits, primarily because nobody is around to hold us accountable, such as co-workers. It’s also easy to get carried away with a project, and forget to get up, or eat properly.
So, I have come up with some ‘do’s and don’ts’ to help us all, including me, as a reminder of what our goals were when we started out on our new adventure.
The Don’ts
Let’s start with what none of us want to hear…get it out of the way so we can end on a positive note in just a little bit. Then again, it’s really not negative, if it’s meant to help us, right?
- Don’t work from the couch. It is meant for lounging and relaxing for short periods of time. It’s best to find a dedicated space to work, with a proper desk and chair. Anything less than that is asking for trouble, in both production and physical ailments such as back problems.
- Don’t skip meals. When we skip meals, it actually lowers our metabolism, creating an environment ripe for weight gain and lethargy. Our work days will become longer, as it takes longer to get projects done. That is the opposite of what our intent was when deciding to work from home.
- Don’t have junk food lying around your office space. It’s nothing more than a temptation for bigger trouble down the road.
- Don’t make excuses. We are all responsible for our own actions, including ignoring some of the most basic things we have been taught in taking care of ourselves. If you need reminders to eat your meals, take a much needed break, or get up and stretch, then set automatic reminders to pop up on your screen.
Now that I have gotten that out of the way, let’s focus on what we should do to better our odds of living the well-balanced life that we have been seeking.
The Do’s
So, now for the good part…
- Do adopt a dietary plan that works for you. Take a look around at the various guides by dieticians, doctors, and founders of plans that have seen a lot of success. For example, the Atkins diet plan guide can give you a lot of information on how it works, and if that plan is right for you. The idea is to make lifetime changes, so pick wisely.
- Do start the day out right with a healthy breakfast. Skipping this meal just leads to less energy and more grazing later on. What this meal consists of will depend on what dietary plan you choose to go with. I have followed a low carb plan, so my breakfast consists of either a couple eggs, or a protein shake. It doesn’t have to be much, just enough to keep your metabolism up.
- Do take breaks throughout the day. This will allow you to get up and get a bit of exercise in during the day. It’s amazing at what a short 15-20 break for a walk can do for both your body and your spirit.
- Do drink plenty of water. By drinking the recommended 6-8 glasses of water each day, it does two things. One is that it helps overpower the desire of excessive snacking. And two, it keeps you hydrated. I’m not sure if you are aware of this, but dehydration can lead to muscle cramping, and overall body aches…which can lead to a lifestyle even more idle than your working hours. Oh, and if you drink caffeine, you should have 2 glasses of water for each cup of coffee or soda that you drink.
- Do post motivational material. If you have posters or photos that tend to encourage you, place them in a visible location, as a reminder of why you chose this path for your career.
Hopefully I have shared some information that you hadn’t thought of, or at the very least, is a good reminder for you. I know that I need to be reminded myself at times, but I’m fine with that. It’s when we ignore these reminders is when we can get in the most trouble.
Rick Mercado is a successful entrepreneur as a writer and online marketer. Working from home, he knows all too well about sitting for long periods of time. After perusing the site http://www.atkins-diet-advisor.com, he decided to write a series of articles on the downside of working in an idle position all day. Rick is married, and lives in Halifax, Nova Scotia, on Canada’s rugged coast. When he isn’t working, he enjoys the outdoors with hiking and kayaking.