That’s it – we’re quitting the office.
For the past year and a half I’ve been working from home and with every day I don’t have to commute, or deal with a boss staring over my shoulder, I realise it’s going to be one hell of a struggle to ever go back into an office again.
Many people argue working from home encourages laziness, but if you’re a good self-motivator it can be great not only for your productivity but also for your health.
1. You’ll eat better.
While this benefit begins with you removing the year’s supply of Arnott’s Assorted Favourites from the cupboard, the fact that you’re a few steps away from a fully stocked kitchen means when lunch time hits you can make something healthy instead of stepping out for takeaway.
No more ‘I didn’t have time to make lunch so I’ll have to go grab something’ moments. There’s no excuse. The kitchen is right there, so start cooking.
2. You can fit in the gym without being made to feel like a slacker.
Exercising during or before your workday helps clear your head, release stress and makes you more productive but unfortunately in some workplaces, if you’re not glued to your desk during your lunch break, it can be seen as a sign of slacking off. When you work from home, you can factor in time for exercise without anyone judging you or assuming you’ve actually popped off to a sale you saw on Missy Confidential (we’ve all done it).
Whether you knock the gym over in the time you would have wasted on the commute or you pop out during your lunch break, you can fit in at least a full hour of sweating it out without having to worry about factoring in time to get office ready again. Who’s going to mind if you spend the rest of the afternoon working in your gym gear when you’re at home by yourself?
3. You can open a window.
There’s a lot to be said for working in an environment filled with fresh air. Constant air conditioning can lead to all sorts of respiratory problems and dry skin – plus in bigger offices, it’s usually hard to regulate the temperature, which is why some people end up sitting at their desk in a winter coat in the middle of summer, which is no good for anyone.
When you’re working from home you can throw open the windows and suck in all the fresh air you can handle or sit out in the backyard and soak up some Vitamin D (just don’t forget the sunscreen).
4. You’ll be more rested.
There’s a lot of science to suggest a quick power nap during the day makes you more productive but curling up in the corner of the office meeting room isn’t the greatest look. When you work from home no one is going to yell at you for popping off to bed for 20 minutes and you can work on a schedule that suits you. If you’re not a morning person you can start at 10am and work until 6pm, or if you’re a night owl you can work when everyone else is in bed.
When you don’t have to factor in time for a commute you can also increase your chances of getting a full eight hours of sleep because even if you crawl out of bed at 8:45am, you’ll still be at your desk by 9am to start the day.
5. You’ll have less chance of getting sick.
When Sally in accounts rolls into the office with a sniffle, chances are you’ll be bed bound within three days after she’s left her dirty tissues everywhere and sneezed all over the communal cutlery.
Working from home means you can eat better, exercise and you’re not at the mercy of your co-workers low immune systems.
So if you think you have the willpower to avoid the Foxtel remote and you can twist your boss’s arm, it might be time to pack up your things and start working from home.
Would you prefer to work from home or in an office?
Top Comments
I love working from home for all of the reasons above, especially the eating and exercise part. My favourite lunch is a quick home-made spinach omelette for one. Yum! And I break up the day by doing 10-20 min bursts on my treadmill instead of trying to fit it all in at once. And if a friend calls in for a cuppa I don't have to feel guilty - I just work a few minutes longer at the end of the day. I can do the washing during the day instead of before 9 or after 5. I'm much more relaxed when the kids get home. SOOOOO many benefits.
I don't think I can go back either. I have worked from home for the
past 8 years - so much flexibility and balance in my life. I haven't
ever found motivation a problem (I guess that goes with being self
employed) - I make time to exercise, wash my hair and make myself
presentable each day - and I try hard not to eat more - not having to
have a piece of cake at every office birthday celebration helps. I
haven't missed having workmates (sometimes enjoy being a recluse) but I
have a nice circle of friends with different days off and coffee shops
within a short walk, so can grab the occasional coffee date with
someone. The main downside for me is the domestic guilt - feel guilty
if the ironing isn't done, the house isn't clean, if I haven't
organised something for dinner - because, hey - I am home all day - I
should be able to do everything!! Somehow the fact that I am working
full time (from home) seems to be forgotten!!
Oh yes the domestic guilt!!! I get that too. And there are some people who don't seem to comprehend that I work or that my work could possibly be as important as their work because they go to an office. Drives me crazy.