24 Ways to Infuse Holistic Practices when Working from Home

Increasing numbers of WHEN clients continue to report significantly positive changes because they’re reviewing and evaluating every aspect of their lives holistically. This process includes some of the practices they’re adopting to keep their focus on balance, productivity and happiness while working from home in the wake of COVID-91-caused workplace reorganization.

We’re seeing the importance of taking the time to nurture yourself and to create a work space that supports your comfort, success and joy. Working from home can actually give us the opportunity to create and customize our work spaces in ways we could have never done at the office.

The following 24 tips are proven ways to ensure your at-home work routines and environment are in synch with your mind, body and spirit:

1. Avoid eating at your desk. Enjoy a break elsewhere.
2. Place fresh flowers or plants by your desk.
3. Use favorite writing tools – pens, pencils, paper and supplies.
4. Change your favorite screen savers often.

5. Stand up every 20 minutes to stretch and walk a few steps.
6. Whenever returning to your computer, wash your hands. Refresh your wrists and the back of your neck with cold water.
7. When waiting for a call, new screen to open, or anything – take a few slow deep breaths – in through your nose and out through your mouth.
8. Don’t wear shoes if you don’t have to.
9. Wiggle your toes, ankles, and fingers as often as possible. Do arm curls at your desk.
10. Wear lipstick – or guys, Chapstick – to keep your lips moist.
11. Take a drink of water every 15 minutes.

12. Change the chair you sit on, at least once a day.
13. Alternate working at a standing desk.
14. When on a phone call, pace as you talk. You can even schedule some phone calls for when you walk outside.
15. While sitting, be aware of your posture and straighten it often.
16. Stretch your arms, back and shoulders and notice when you start to slump forward.

17. Be mindful of your body and move it when and where needed.
18. Don’t twist your body or cross your legs when sitting at your desk.
19. Don’t read doom and gloom emails.
20. Play music you enjoy. Let the people you speak to on the phone overhear it, too.
21. Keep lights off, as much as you can, and work in natural sunlight from windows.

22. Open all windows, as long as the weather allows.
23. Consider taking your work outdoors, if possible.
24. Stick to eating healthy food at meal times and snub the snacks unless they are healthy ones, too.

Even if you’re not working from home, many of these tips still apply to creating the most holistic work space possible when you’re back at the office.

Remember – take good care of your holistic self during working hours. It will make a difference!

Think holistically, always!

Barbara Kaplan, IFDA, Allied ASID