5 Health Tips All Telecommuting Workers Should Follow

Telecommuting has become increasingly popular in recent years. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), roughly one-quarter of the entire workforce performs some or all their work at home. But while working at home certainly has its benefits, it also has some disadvantages, including less physical activity. Because of this, telecommuting workers should follow some simple steps to maintain good health.

#1) Follow a Schedule

It's important that you create and follow a schedule when working from home. Some workers assume a schedule isn't necessarily, only to discover later that this isn't the case. Without a schedule, there's no way to control the amount of time you work. So, create and follow a schedule that details which days you'll work and for how long.

#2) Stand Every Half-Hour

Try to get into the habit of standing ever half-hour that you spend sitting. If you work in your home office for two hours, for instance, stand four times -- once every 30-minute interval. This will give you the opportunity to stretch your legs while protecting against cramps and other musculoskeletal problems in the process.

#3) The 20-20-20 Rule

What is the 20-20-20 rule? This rule consists of staring at a wall or object that's 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds every 20 minutes. The general idea behind the 20-20-20 rule is to protect your eyes from computer-related strain. When using the computer for multiple consecutive hours, your eyes may feel tires and sore -- an all-too-common phenommenon associated with computer usage. The 20-20-20 rule, however, helps to protect against these and other related eye symptoms.

#4) Eat Right

Of course, you should eat the right foods when working from home. If you're crunched time when trying to complete a project, you may pick up fast food rather than cooking and preparing your own meal. Unfortunately, this will take its toll on your health, contributing to high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity and other potentially serious health conditions. By cooking and preparing healthy meals, though, you can avoid these problems.

#5) Upgrade Your Workspace

Finally, consider upgrading your workspace with new, more ergonomic furniture and equipment. If you're currently using an old chair that's missing parts or otherwise not properly designed, you may experience back pain after working. Investing in an ergonomic executive office chair, on the the hand, creates a more comfortable workspace while avoiding MSDs and injuries.