Dallas County Living Well Magazine September/October 2020 | Page 68

Staying Active While
Working Remotely
By JULIE ALVIRA, MD, MBA
Many 9-to-5 office workers have started working remotely
during the pandemic. Remote work is not for everyone, but
these workers have had to adapt to the new “normal.” This has created
a number of issues to keep in mind, especially the amount of physical
activity a remote worker is getting. Many remote workers are finding
they aren’t getting enough physical activity, which can be detrimental
to their well being.
Increased physical activity has many health benefits and also helps
with focus, which is why staying active while working remotely is important
to overall health. It’s good to incorporate a self-care routine
that can facilitate wellness and make it easier to embrace the changes
the pandemic has caused.
Before you start any task, it’s a good idea to sit and write down your
goals for that day in terms of actions. However, some experts suggest
it’s better to do it before bed, while others suggest the morning is best.
The purpose is to write down the goals in a special goal journal for the
next day. That way you wake up with the mental energy you need to
start and take action.
Working remotely allows you to create a routine that works for you.
We’re all different and the well being of our minds depends on each of
us as individuals. Some people embrace change faster than others. For
example, there are people who have morning routines that include a
cup of coffee, while others need a bottle of water when they get up.
While you have the leisure of being the boss of your time, discipline
is required. You don’t have to tell someone if you go out or not, take
free time or not, etc., but you need to know how to control your time.
66 • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2020