Resources to Support Health and Wellness While Working Remotely

The majority of my workdays are spent at Seneca College’s campus in Markham, Ontario. That is, until recently.

When we were all notified that we’d be working from home until further notice, my mind immediately flooded with thoughts and a I felt a bit of trepidation. I thought of my home situation, realizing that I’d have to set up a space for myself to work and hold daily virtual meetings while also being able to look after my 4-year-old. If you enjoy the daily interactions with colleagues, as I do, not being physically around them could feel isolating. I also knew that I wouldn’t be the only one thinking about such things. Other employees would be looking for ways to cope, too, both mentally and physically.

Motivated to help myself—and others—prepare for this new world of work, I did some research. Here are some tips and resources I came up with. I hope you find them helpful.

Physical and Mental Self-Care

• Home office setup: ensure you have an organized, designated, and comfortable workspace. Let the light in by opening blinds.
• Stick with a daily routine and disconnect from work at the end of your day.
• Start off your day by getting some fresh air in your backyard or on your balcony.
• Host a virtual lunch: organize a non-work-related chat and check in on friends, relatives, and colleagues.
• Laugh: find humour in your day and share with someone.

Resources

• 13 ways to practice self-care when you work from home
• 5 Tips for Staying Productive and Mentally Healthy While You’re Working From Home
• Benefits of Meditation in the Workplace
• Your Work-From-Home Survival Guide for Self-Care
• What Is Self-Care — And How Does Anyone Have Time For It?
• Burnout in the Digital Age: How to Avoid Workplace Stress

Fitness and Wellness

• Schedule breaks throughout the day for stretching or to enjoy a healthy snack.
• Get up and move away from your computer periodically.
• Seek help during this time of change. Reach out to colleagues to ask about what they’ve learned about the best way to structure their day. If you have friends who are consultants or work from home regularly, seek wellness advice from them, too.

Resources

• GoodLife Fitness posts short workout videos on their website and social media accounts each day. They also offer meditations via “Headspace.”
• Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre has organized FREE virtual fitness classes that require NO workout equipment. Classes include Better Bones, Hatha Flow, Latin Dance Cardio, Total Body, and Zumba. Check out the class schedule Classes will be available on the TPASC website or on their Facebook page. If you miss a class, it will be recorded and will be available via the Facebook page or website for you to do later.
• 7 Yoga Poses You Can Do at Your Work Desk to Relieve Stress
• Performance-Building Yoga Stretches You Can Do at Your Desk

Felisha Ali is a Project and Program Coordinator and a part-time professor teaching Career Planning at Seneca College. In her full-time role, she provides career development knowledge and guidance, and facilitates career development workshops for employees. She’s a strategic and decisive leader, focused on projects and continuously learning current trends to improve efficiency. In her part-time role, Felisha is dedicated to helping her students succeed on their career paths. When she is not working, Felisha loves to cook and is kept very busy caring for her energetic 4-year-old daughter.

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