Thanks to COVID-19, a bunch of folks who usually don’t work remotely are doing so. Graphic designers, writers, and other freelancers already have a handle on a lot of things for home-based work – like scheduling, organization, etc. – but one thing I didn’t get a grasp of was my physical fitness.

Image by Ryan McGuire from Pixabay

Before I started working from home, I had a number of active jobs. I was a nanny who played with kids and took them for walks multiple times a day. I was a dog walker who biked her route and then walked the dogs – putting in between 10 and 45 miles a day between the two activities. I was an adjunct school staff who coached kids in tennis and other outdoor activities. I was a cycling/walking performance artist.

But when I started working from home, everything changed. I suddenly had the opportunity to stay fit and healthy by running, walking, and the usual activities on a free schedule. The free schedule, however was my routine killer. I got out of the habit of getting to the gym, going for a run, taking a walk, etc., because “I could do it later.”

I just want to remind you that as you work from home, it’s crucial to keep active. Set some timers throughout the day. Get up from your desk and walk around every 25-45 minutes, even just for 5 minutes. Take a morning walk before you start your workday. Go for an afternoon or evening run through the neighborhood. Watch some online workout videos or buy some workout DVDs or Blu-Rays.

Learn from my mistakes. Make a new schedule and stick to it as you work from home, maintaining social distancing as you walk, run, and cycle. And get off your butt multiple times throughout the day. Seriously. Everything will feel better if you do.