Navigating work while on the road poses unique challenges beyond the typical Wi-Fi hiccups. Makeshift workspaces like your car becoming an office and that roadside café is often the temporary fix. Adaptation is key to staying productive on the move, and it goes beyond just getting used to your surroundings.

Here are some strategies to master the art of working on the road:

Disrupt Sitting Break free from the sedentary trap. Stand while using your phone, stretch when you yawn, or take a stroll while brainstorming. Movement sparks creativity. (Healey et al., 2013)

Sway Incorporate gentle rhythmic movements while standing—shift your weight from foot to foot or indulge in subtle pelvic tilting. Embrace the flow of motion. (Dent et al., 2021)

Reposition hips Shift your body weight when transitioning between tasks. Lean forward, backward, left, or right to engage different muscles and enhance comfort. (Zemp et al., 2016)

Reposition legs Introduce variety to your leg positions. Extend one leg, then the other, cross them over, and keep the blood flowing. Change it up to keep things dynamic. (Zemp et al., 2016)

Joint compression Sneak in mini-exercises. Try chair push-ups, wall push-ups, or gentle presses on knee, wrist, or elbow joints. Keep your joints active and agile. (Redondo, 2012)

Natural lighting Opt for a spot with ample natural light—whether it's a window seat or a shaded park bench. Bright environments enhance focus and mood. (JBI, 2010)

Natural sounds Embrace the ambient sounds around you or plug in your headset. Nature sounds or calming music can create a conducive work atmosphere. (Buxton et al., 2021)

Brain breaks Incorporate moments of meditation, deep breathing, fascination, or playful activities. Reset your mind to stay sharp and engaged. (Immordino-Yang, 2012)

Master the art of adaptation, and turn any location into a productive workspace on the go.

REFERENCES

Healy, G. N., Eakin, E. G., LaMontagne, A. D., Owen, N., Winkler, E. A., Wiesner, G., Gunning, L., Nauhaus, M., Layler, S., Fjedsoe, B. S., Dunstan, D. W. (2013). Reducing sitting time in office workers: Short-term efficacy of a multicomponent intervention. Preventive Medicine, 57(1), 43–48. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2013.04.004

Dent S, Burger K, Stevens S, Smith BD, Streepey JW (2021) The effect of music on body sway when standing in a moving virtual environment. PLoS ONE 16(9): e0258000. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0258000

Zemp, R., Fliesser, M., Wippert, P.M., Taylor, W.R., Lorenzetti, S. (2016) Occupational sitting behaviour and its relationship with back pain – A pilot study, Applied Ergonomics, Volume 56, Pages 84-91, ISSN 0003-6870, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apergo.2016.03.007.

Redondo, R. L. (2014). Bidirectional switch of the valence associated with a hippocampal contextual memory engram. Nature 513, 426–430. doi: 10.1038/nature13725.

The effects of exposure to natural light in the workplace on the health and productivity of office workers: a systematic review protocol, JBI Library of Systematic Reviews: Volume 8 - Issue 16 - p 1-19 doi: 10.11124/jbisrir-2010-574

Buxton, R., Person, A.L., Allou, C., Whittemeyr, G. (2021) A synthesis of health benefits of natural sounds and their distribution in national parks. PNAS. 118(14) e2013097118 https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2013097118

Immordino-Yang MH, Christodoulou JA, Singh V. Rest Is Not Idleness: Implications of the Brain’s Default Mode for Human Development and Education. Perspectives on Psychological Science. 2012;7(4):352-364. doi:10.1177/1745691612447308