It’s time to tackle a new angle in our sustainability series by bringing it into the home with The Remote Worker. After feasting on green-living tips for The Foodie, this post focuses on those of us working from home (WFH).
WFH is all about creating a healthy work-life balance, but don’t forget about the planet when you’re working on that balance. There are simple conservation habits you can add to your routine that will help make a positive impact on the planet. Here are some earth-friendly shifts you can start incorporating today.
Give yourself a break
You get a big thumbs-up for cutting out your commute and reducing your time on the road. But remember to try and take breaks. Turning off your devices at the end of the workday can not only help you prevent potential burnout, but it cuts down on all those extra hours of power when you work long hours.
Take a break from your devices throughout the day and try to power down after dinner. It also gives you more time with friends and family!
Save chores for later
WFH makes it convenient to do a load of dishes here, some loads of laundry there, and a few quick runs around the house with the vacuum before the clock strikes five. But did you know this could add stress to the electricity grid?
It’s easy to waste your work breaks on chores. Use breaks to take a walk, have a cup of coffee or do something relaxing. You’ll likely reduce your stress while also reducing your daytime energy load that puts a lot of stress on the electricity grid. Run the washing machine, dishwasher, vacuum or other appliances after the sun goes down. It’s more energy efficient and gives you much-needed down time during the workday.
Enjoy your lunch hour
One of the perks of remote work is that you get to have lunch at home. There’s no need to cook a five-course meal, though. Avoid using the stove and oven midday, so you don’t heat the house and overtax the air conditioner. Here are some ways to make lunchtime more planet-friendly:
- Make cold meals like sandwiches or salads.
- Meal prep in the evenings or weekends and use the microwave to quickly reheat meals.
- Walk to a nearby café or grocery store and grab a bite.
Get the kids involved
Chances are you’re WFH with a kid or three. You have them help with chores around the house, so why not ask them to help the planet, too?
Teach kids basic tips like turning off the lights when they leave a room, not leaving the fridge open while making snacks and learning the difference between what to throw away and what to recycle. By teaching these habits while WFH, you can help them learn sustainability habits that last a lifetime.
Keep it comfortable
Straining to see in the dark can lead to uncomfortable conditions like eye strain and headaches. On the other hand, keeping the lights turned on all day can waste energy. Open blinds for natural light or use an LED lamp to get the perfect amount of energy-efficient light.
For all you remote workers, be sure to use these sustainability tips to balance the energy in your life and your home. And when you hit a wall around two or three o’clock, come back for the next post in our series. We’ll get you through the slump with green-living tips for the coffee connoisseur.
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