Survive &
Since many of you are navigating these uncharted waters for the first time, I thought I’d take a minute to share some of the tips for working from home that have helped me the most, especially in times of high stress.
? Get up daily and get ready like you are going to work. This is a hard one for me because it’s so easy to dive right in and get started but I’ve found it to be pretty darn important for my mental health Yesterday, I had to work on an urgent client project and by the time I was able to look up and catch my breath, it was 3 pm and I hadn’t even made it out of my sweats. Occasionally this works, but making it a daily habit can lead to a lack of energy and motivation.
⏱ Set working hours and stick to them. If you have kids at home, this is even more important as you will likely have to be super productive in a short period. Start and stop times are non-negotiable. Just because you are working from home doesn’t mean you are working around the clock, you have to separate the two. You need time for physical activity, your family, connecting with friends and life things, and it’s easy to get into a grey area when you are permanently at home.
??♀️ Move your body daily. This was one of my 2020 goals that has had the most impact on my overall well being. I was finding myself at the computer for hours on end and when I wasn’t working, I was dealing with life stuff. By the end of the day, there was no energy left for me to take care of myself. When that stopped, my entire world changed. Movement is key to positive mental health, especially in times of high stress. If you can, moving your body outside is even better. Get some fresh air, go for a walk or run or take the kids for a bike ride, just move your body.
? Leave your house daily. I know this may seem hard right now but this can be something as small as running one errand or going for a drive to clear your mind. It’s also a great reminder that life is still going on outside of your home. I joke all the time that I only drive on average 15 miles a week- to my workout class, to the store, to the bank and the mailbox. Mind you, they are all in the same location but I don’t do them all in one day because I need a reason to get out of the house every day.
????? Stay connected to your people. Tomorrow I’ll be sharing some of my favorite apps for staying connected to my team and friends but you don’t really even need an app. Call a friend per day to check in on them, call your mom or dad, brother or sister, join a Facebook community of like-minded people that you feel supported by (I have several I’ll be sharing tomorrow). Staying connected has to be a conscious effort and it’s so important.
? I am no dietitian and not making any sort of diet claims but it’s really easy when you are working from home and overwhelmed to become good friends with the snack drawer, and if you aren’t moving your body daily, it starts to add up. Plus, eating crappy does not help anxiety, depression or overwhelm. If you can, batch food for a couple of days so that you can start the week strong with healthy food options that are ready to go.
? Clean your space daily. There is nothing that kills my creativity and concentration more than a cluttered or messy workspace and when that workspace becomes your home, it’s important to keep it tidy. A quick pick up before you start work can set the tone for the entire day.
As I said, working from home has been amazing and challenging all at the same time. I’ve had to do some serious work and set boundaries to structure my workday and find a healthy balance that works for my family and me, and you will likely need to do the same. I hope you enjoyed these tips for working from home!
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