While there are many benefits to working from home, without the commute or face-to-face chats by the office kettle, it can be easy to fall into a remote working rut.
That was the case for Catherine Warrilow, who found herself in a never-ending loop of sitting at her laptop and doing the school run. But when the 43-year-old began to feel low and isolated, she knew something had to change.
The mum-of-two made the decision to start walking 40 minutes after dropping her two sons off at the school gates each morning. Not only has the exercise improved her physical health, Catherine says incorporating the simple change into her daily routine has improved her life in every way.
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“I was finding that I was dropping the kids off at school and coming back and launching straight into work and my head wasn’t in gear at all,” she told the Manchester Evening News.
“When I leave the school gates, I’m out anyway. I have a warm coat on, a cup of tea and comfy trainers. I struggle with time and motivation to go to the gym or squeeze a class in at lunch time.
“The day gets so busy as soon as you start work, then the kids come home and your second job starts. It’s the only time I get away from tech and away from anyone else to reflect.”
Catherine, managing director of Altrincham-based daysout.com, which sells tickets for popular attractions and experiences across the UK, has since opened up about the wide range of benefits walking has had on her day-to-day life.
“It’s quite an efficient use of time because I’m still home by 9.15am,” she said. “I started taking a cup of tea and walking to local parks, doing a few loops and walking back again.
“I try not to go on my phone unless it's to write down a brainwave. I just try to notice what’s going on around me, try and make eye contact with others and say good morning. I just let my brain wander to where I want to go. It gives me 40 minutes to take a breather and just a bit of space to think.”
Physical activity has a huge potential to enhance our well-being, according to the UK’s Mental Health Foundation. Even a short burst of 10 minutes of brisk walking is able to increase our mental alertness, energy and positive mood.
Participation in regular physical activity can increase our self-esteem and can reduce stress and anxiety. It also plays a role in preventing the development of mental health problems and in improving the quality of life of people experiencing mental health problems.
“It’s made a huge difference to my focus levels. I’m now able to work from home without wandering off to put a wash on or watch telly in the background,” Catherine, who lives in Oxford, continued. “I have a perfectly good home but I felt like the walls were closing in on me. I was struggling with memory recall before and I don’t struggle with it at all now if very rarely – I feel happier for it.
“I feel more grounded. I feel calmer. For that 40 minutes a day, five days a week, it’s made a huge difference. I feel ready to go because I’ve had a nice morning. My head feels clear and I’m ready to be really productive.”
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