As of 2021, more than 4.7 million people are working from home at least 50% of the time. Many of those people are starting to feel lethargic from sitting in isolation all day long. Even though some remote workers have switched to standing desks or even sit/stand desks, exhaustion is creeping into the corners of the remote work revolution.
Maybe those tired people are working in their pajamas or perhaps they never got out of bed. Regardless, here’s how remote workers are getting more energy.
1. Natural herbs and supplements
Natural herbs and supplements are a popular source of energy for people who don’t want to consume sugary energy drinks and copious amounts of coffee. The most popular herbs and supplements include:
Maca. Although most people in the U.S. only know it as a powder, maca is technically a cruciferous vegetable grown in Peru at extremely high altitudes. Maca has been used as medicine and food in Peru for a long time. When ground, it has an earthy, nutty taste that generally disappears when added to a smoothie.
Kratom. Like Maca, kratom has been used medicinally for centuries. Kratom is traditionally made as tea, but some people prefer to chew the leaves. Drinking tea is the ideal delivery method for getting energy as long as you choose the right strain. There are many variations of kratom that come in powder form that can be easily made into tea.
Nootropics. Nootropics are also called “smart drugs” because they’re used to enhance cognitive function. Many of them are stimulants and require a prescription, however, there are also natural nootropics like L-theanine, ginkgo biloba, and Panax ginseng.
2. Exercise
Exercise is one of the best ways to generate energy. Technically, the body releases energy when you exercise, which makes you feel more energetic.
People who work remotely use the following methods for exercising:
Full workouts. Those who have the time, energy, and space do full workouts. They might go to the gym, but when working from home it’s tempting to just set up a mini gym in the garage (or use bands).
Yoga. Yoga sessions can last anywhere from ten minutes to over an hour. Getting energized from yoga isn’t about the length of the practice, but rather, the sequence of asanas and the amount of presence given to the practice. If you only have ten minutes, that’s perfect.
Tai Chi. One of the gentler options for exercise, tai chi gets the body moving and stimulates the body’s energy without forcing the body to endure harsh impact. It’s a great way to reduce pain in the back, neck, and shoulders that can accumulate from sitting for extended periods of time.
Walking around the block. Many remote workers short on time simply get up and go for a walk around the block every few hours. It’s simple and works great.
Taking their dogs for more walks. Dogs will always go for an extra walk. Remote workers who have dogs have a great excuse to head out for a brisk walk or jog to get the energy flowing.
3. Eating healthy foods
The number one source of energy is food. We all require fresh, nutritious food to function at our best. That’s why we feel tired when we don’t eat enough or when we eat junk food.
Working from home affords people the time to eat a healthier diet. With no commute eating up hours in the day, there’s plenty of time to make a fresh salad or cook a healthy meal.
Working remotely can actually inspire people to change their eating habits from unhealthy to healthy. The key is setting up a schedule for meals and planning each meal in advance to avoid overeating or eating the wrong foods.
4. Going to bed early and waking up early
Sleeping too much and going to bed late can cause sleep deprivation, which is exhausting. People who go to bed late and sleep in don’t usually get the deep, quality REM sleep required to feel fully rested.
Going to bed early makes it easier to wake up early and get a jump on the day. It also helps people complete their sleep cycles properly, which is essential for feeling rested in the morning.
Exhaustion doesn’t need to be normal
For remote workers, exhaustion doesn’t need to become the new normal. If you’re working from home and finding yourself getting tired, try some of the ideas outlined in this article. When you have more energy, you’ll feel better and you’ll be more productive.
