Whether you’ve worked remotely for one year or 10, it is easy to slide into less-than-desirable habits with your routine. Working in your pajamas, answering emails at all hours, and permitting distractions during your workday are just several of the ways remote workers begin to erode crucial work-life boundaries. Want to start feeling your best while working remotely? Moving to Bend shares three suggestions to enhance your routine.

1. Establish boundaries that help you mentally “leave” work at the end of the day.

Working from home — especially if you are self-employed — often means that you have no set start or end time. Just so long as you finish your daily tasks, you can set hours that are best for you. 

Unfortunately, this often turns into working more hours than you would normally. It can also lead to feeling like you are always “plugged in” to your work. Find ways to establish or re-establish this boundary by creating distinct transitions in your day. For example, when beginning your workday, enter your home office and remain there until you’ve finished for the day. 

2. Redecorate your home office.

One excellent way to add some energy and motivation to your workday is to redecorate your home office. This is especially true if your current at-home workspace is also being used for other purposes, such as storage or as a guest room. 

As your budget allows, purchase new office furniture, replace flooring, add new blinds, and find decorative pieces that spark a sense of delight. To give your office a dramatic new look and feel, spruce up your walls. Many people are now opting to use customizable, easy-to-install wallpaper for a number of reasons. Wallpaper with adhesive backing can be custom designed to fit any style. This type of wallpaper is both removable and repositionable. Ordering personalized designs also ensures that you’ll always be able to reorder more if you run out.

3. Set a timer to get up and move around.

In a traditional office setting, there are often frequent excuses to get up and walk around. Going to and from meetings, walking to the break room, and getting up to speak with colleagues ensures that you get some level of activity. At home, there is little reason to get up and walk around, which can lead to a sedentary lifestyle.

Break this pattern by setting timers for yourself throughout the day to remind yourself to get up and move around. Wearing a pedometer will also help you track how much activity you achieve each day.

On top of these suggestions, there are many other ways to make your remote work arrangement even healthier. Several more ideas include stocking up on nutritious lunches and snacks, working out during your lunch break, and meditating throughout your day.

• 

New parking zones will be implemented in Downtown Bend starting July 1 in an effort to make parking downtown easier. 

The Downtown Parking District will be split into two zones. Zone A will consist of all on-street parking and will all be free for two hours. Zone B will consist of all off-street parking in the various lots around Downtown and in the parking garage, and will provide more long-term paid parking options. 

The amount of free on-street parking will not be changed! Parking on Irving Street will be converted to free two-hour parking as a part of the creation of the zones. There are about 1,800 free parking spaces available in the Downtown Parking District. The majority of parking downtown is still free for two hours. 

To learn more about the parking changes head to bendoregon.gov/Home/Components/News/News/4579/29

Source – www.bendoregon.gov

If you plan on moving to Bend in the spring or summer, there are endless opportunities for outdoor fun…but picnics are a particularly special way to spend a warm afternoon. If you’ve got picnics on the mind, we can suggest several of our favorite spots to eat while enjoying the nature all around us.

Note: Bend’s parks are well-equipped with handy disposal bins, usually located nearby picnic tables and other spots. It’s also a good idea to make use of them – or bring your own biodegradable trash bag along with your other supplies so you can clean up after you eat!

1. Drake Park

Drake Park is the quintessential park experience in downtown Bend. This strip of beautifully cultivated park land (the trees in autumn never get old) hugs close to the Deschutes River in one of its quiet loops. There’s plenty of options for walking, playing on the grassy hills, feeding the ducks, and more. It’s also home to plenty of events and performers if you’d like some entertainment. When you’re finished eating, it’s an easy stroll to experience downtown shops or stop by one of the cafes at the park’s border.

2. Columbia Park

Do your young  kids need to run off a little energy? Columbia Park is famous for its giant ship-inspired playground, making it particularly popular for young families. There are also plenty of river views and a large lawn for some light sports after you’ve finished up your picnic.

3. Shevlin Park

Shevlin Park is an enormous park stretching outward from the northwest side of Bend, around 1,000 acres. That makes it perfect for adventures, but don’t worry – there are many cozy picnic tables dotted throughout, especially in the early areas of the park. It’s a great choice if you prefer to eat under towering Ponderosa pines. As a bonus, it’s also a great place to take the family snowshoeing in winter if you’re looking for great outdoor activities in Bend.

4. Riverbend Park

If you’re wondering what to do in Bend for a picnic lunch, Riverbend really needs to be on your list. The location of the famous “bend” in the Deschutes River that gave the city its name, this ambling park is a great spot to enjoy river views and has some of the best picnic spots in Bend, including cabin-style structures for shade and larger family gatherings. Just across the river is dog park with areas for fenced-in running (poo bag dispensers are also available( as well as splashing in the river, while Old Mill shops are just a brief walk away and friendly hiking trails await in the opposite direction – giving you plenty of post-picnic options!

5. Pine Nursery

Pine Nursery Park is ideal for active families that like their picnics with some sports to run off calories after. There are designated spots for basketball, skateboarding, disc golf, softball, pickleball, and even fishing is allowed (there’s also a 14-acre off-leash park for your dogs). The park covers more than 150 acres, so there’s always something else to explore here while you’re living in Bend.

Special Mention: Crux Fermentation

While it’s not technically a park, it is one of the best picnic spots in Bend to bring your kids for an afternoon of fun…while allowing the adults to sample some of the most interesting brews in town. There’s a grass field to play in, plenty of picnic tables (as well as indoor seating), and incredible mountain views. If you’re wondering what to do in Bend, a stop by Crux should be on your list. Crux also has several food carts, including a recent – and delicious – expansion by The Rogue Chef, so your lunch plans are covered, too.

It’s National Great Outdoors Month, and it’s never been a better time to explore the many incredible parks of Central Oregon. If you’re planning on your next outdoor activities in Bend, or you’re moving to Bend and what to know more about your recreation opportunities – here are some of the most interesting things about our state and national parks in Central Oregon! Browse through these favorites to find inspiration for your next adventure!

1. Newberry National Volcanic Monument’s Slumbering Volcano is the Size of Rhode Island

Newberry isn’t a volcano in the traditional sense, but rather a vast caldera forming a beautiful valley in the Deschutes National Forest. It’s filled with trails exploring the ancient lava beds and fields of obsidian and is a popular destination for a summer weekend. Pack plenty of water if you want to spend time exploring!

2. Smith Rock is Considered the Birthplace of American Sport Climbing

It’s easy to see why! The towering red basalt monolith is perfect for every kind of climbing sport with rock faces for every level of experience. But if you aren’t into climbing and bouldering, don’t worry: There are still plenty of hiking and camping options in this state park, plus beautiful views once you make your way to the top. If climbing sounds like something you’d be interested in, you can also try out one of Bend’s climbing gyms first to learn more about the sport.

3. Bend is One of the Only Cities in the U.S. with Its Own Dormant Volcano

That would Pilot Butte, which is impossible to miss on your first time in Bend. While Central Oregon is filled with these reminders of past volcanic activity, Pilot Butte is unique in that it’s entirely within the city limits. People wondering what to do in Bend can hike or even drive up the butte to get an overview of the city!

4. Tumalo State Park Is Not the Same As Tumalo Falls

These are two separate – although beautiful – locations that are frequently confused by newcomers. That’s all right: Both locations are great fun, but the Park itself is where you’ll want to go for camping or even finding a beautiful venue for a summer event.

5. Crater Lake is the Deepest Lake in North America

What happens when a massive caldera fills with mountain runoff? You get the amazing Crater Lake, one of the wonders of the natural world and an excellent destination for anyone living in Bend who wants to take a day trip to someplace new. There are many opportunities to hike around the Lake or down to the incredibly blue (and cold) waters of the lake, with beautiful views at every step.

6. Central Oregon Has Painted Hills, Too

The John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, to be precise, is home to a beautiful stretch of Painted Hills that are perfect for photography adventures. Painted hills occur when ancient volcanic activity and soil movement result in visible layers of yellow, black, red, and gold that are quite stunning in person.

7. Prineville’s Reservoir is a State Park As Well

It may sound a little odd making a reservoir a state park, but it’s easy to see why once you visit: This park features a beautiful calming reservoir lake that is open in summer for a variety of water activities (the level of the reservoir may also affect current options). Another popular option is Craine Prairie Reservoir, although Central Oregon is packed with lakes where boating, fishing, swimming and hiking are all possibilities, so we encourage you to find your favorite.

8. Cove Palisades Are Named After Fencing

“Palisades” are traditional fence-like fortifications often used around a camp. It’s fitting once you see it, as the gorgeous hills of this State Park rise to guard beautiful lakes. It’s a favorite spot for weekend campers and others exploring Central Oregon.

9. Central Oregon Also Has an Official “State Scenic Viewpoint”

It’s not quite a State Park, but it’s certain an official Viewpoint, and designed specifically to take advantage of the Crooked River Canyon. While Central Oregon’s slopes, forests, and lakes get plenty of attention, there’s also a wealth of gorgeous desert canyons that make perfect scenery for your next photoshoot and are filled with hiking opportunities of their own. Get a great look at this viewpoint!

10. You Can Go Spelunking in Bend

Okay, it’s not exactly a State Park, but Boyd Cave is incredibly accessible and a great spot to get started if you are interested in spelunking or just some light cave exploration. When you are ready to take on a little more, you can move up to the Redmond Caves and a variety of other cave exploration options in Central Oregon – or even plan a trip over to the Oregon Cave National Monument for family-friendly cave fun.

It’s National Great Outdoors Month, and there is no better place to celebrate it than Central Oregon! If you are moving to Bend or recently arrived, you may be wondering what to do in Bend to enjoy the outdoors, explore, and spend time in the warm weather. There’s a long a list! But today we wanted to narrow it down to just a few of our favorite outdoor activities that are perfect for newcomers and everyone living in Bend.

Get Out for a Bike Ride

Bend is home to several biking events for good reason – if you enjoy riding your bike under the sun, then it’s always a commuting option…but there are many recreational biking paths and bikeways that you can try too. One of the most popular is the Twin Bridge Loop, which spans 36 miles and takes you all around Bend with plenty of beautiful vistas. Biking is also a great way to explore the city and find some of your favorite parts! And, of course, if you prefer mountain biking then there are hundreds of miles of trail around Bend that you should try!

Floating the Deschutes River

One of the outdoor activities in Bend that brings everyone together is floating the Deschutes River on a hot day. While many people prefer an inner tube that they can easily carry along with them for repeated trips, there’s also room for paddle boarding, while other sections of the river are excellent for peaceful kayaking. Feel free to bring your pet along if they are happy around water and plenty of other people!

Explore Smith Rock

Smith Rock is an incredibly popular Central Oregon destinations for hiking, camping, climbing, and bouldering, with options for all kinds of people across the incredible basalt edifice. If you’ve been yearning for mountain-related activities but only have a day or two to spare (and don’t want to wait for the Cascade peaks trails to clear), Smith Rock is the perfect choice. It can get a little busy as the weather warms up, so if you prefer to enjoy your activities in solitude it’s best to go during the off-hours.

Hike to the Top of Pilot Butte

If you prefer to start small or have small children to think about, you can scale things down and plan a hike to the top of Pilot Butte instead. It has a central location that you can reach from anywhere in the city, doesn’t take very long to walk up, and offers amazing views of Bend at the top as a reward. Every new Bendite needs to try it!

Plan a Canyon Hike

Spots like the Dry River Canyon Trail (occasionally closed for nesting season, so plan ahead) are an excellent way to enjoy the high desert side of Bend and explore some of the incredible natural beauty around the city. For those who don’t have quite as much time, visit one of Bend’s many parks. River Canyon Park and the Archie Briggs hike are additional options. You’ll get a chance to see desert wildlife while enjoying amazing canyon views – just don’t forget to bring your sunscreen.

As always, if you are looking for relocation services in Central Oregon, Moving To Bend is here to help so you have enough time to plan your own adventures!