Stay Healthy Working From Home Essential mind and body tips to keep well

Boost motivation, productivity and wellbeing with stretches, breaks and good habits

If you work from home, make sure your work station is protecting your health. Sitting at a computer for hours in the wrong position can create RSI (Repetitive Strain Injury), as well as tension that builds stress.

However just a few simple adjustments will ensure you stay healthy and feel good in the short and long term.

Sit at a desk or table on an office chair or a regular hard chair, with your feet flat on the floor. Your hips ought to be slightly higher than your knees, so raise and tilt your office chair or place a cushion on a hard chair. You may now require a foot rest to ensure your feet are flat on the floor.

Lean gently and slightly forward from your hips and, with relaxed, bent elbows, place your hands on the keyboard (you shouldn’t be stretching your arms out to reach the keyboard). Avoid slouching by imagining that your spine (which runs into your head) moves in two directions – towards the sky and towards the ground.

Make sure your screen is at eye level. If you’re working on a laptop, it’s advisable to buy a keyboard and mouse, so that you can raise the laptop (for example by sitting it on some books) so the screen is at eye level.

Choosing a place in the house that has good natural light will protect your eyesight and in turn prevent headaches. Being near a window will reduce computerc glare and gazing out t of the window every so oft en eases eye strain. Regularly open the window for fresh air and improve air quality with houseplants. A good work station transforms the experience of workin ng from home.