Working from home started as an option for some people. Then, when the pandemic started, it became mandatory for lots of workers who were used to being at the office from 9 to 5. This brought problems that weren’t originally calculated, like massive burnout, or crazy schedules, people working all day and not paying attention to their health.
Let’s be honest, we all went a little crazy at the beginning of our WFH journey, but let’s not get blinded by the fact we are at home, this doesn’t automatically mean that we’re comfortable, healthy, and stress-free.
Taking care of ourselves and making our life and work-life something that can endure in time is vital. So, finding the balance to be our best and most productive selves and our happiest and healthiest is a challenge we all need to go through and come out as winners. And, without further ado, here we have some tips to take care of yourself while working from home.
1. Get ready to work
One of the first pieces of advice I received when I started working from home was to get dressed as if I were going to the office. And even though it is good advice, one of the WFH advantages is that you can be as comfortable as you wish. So, what should we do? Well… for starters, don’t stay in your pajamas.
It’s okay to be comfortable but to go into a working mindset and make the habit of being productive while working from home, your mind and body need the cue that you are no longer chilling on your couch. Therefore it is important for you to make a routine before work that helps you get ready for the day that lies ahead.
You should have a good meal, take a shower, and dress comfortably but not too comfortably that you associate it with sleeping. Think about what you need for your workday to be successful, and prepare for the day taking those needs into account. For some people coffee is a must, for others is meditating or jogging, everything is valid as long as it works for you and gets you in working mode.
2. Make the space your own
When thinking about where to work at your house, choosing the spot is a key part of the process. Once you have designated a place for you to work, this becomes another cue for your body that it is no longer time to chill but now it is time to work.
Decorate your space as you wish, and fill it with positive, motivating, and encouraging thoughts. Maybe a whiteboard could be useful for you, maybe some scents might make the place a better working environment for you.
Since you have more autonomy over the place, you should make the best of it by turning it into a place where you want to go to work every day. If you want more tips related to your home office, this article is right for you.
3. Look after your back
Have you ever ended your workday with the urge to lie down because of your back? It is very common today for freelancers who tend to work for long hours sitting on a chair in front of a computer, to suffer from some kind of back pain. Which by the way, is not a healthy thing.
Physical pain can be distracting and if not attended it can grow into big consequences. And, since we spend lots of hours sitting, most of those are not in the best position, and we know it is not the best for our backs, taking care of it is only natural.
Things like buying a good-quality chair or lumbar support for your regular chair can be a total game-changer. So think about that when figuring your home office out. Remember, it is all about making your lifestyle sustainable, so you can be able to do great things for a long time.
4. Take some fresh air
Staying at home for work, shouldn’t mean that you never leave your house. I know that at first one can be relieved that you don’t have to be anywhere else, but for your health, there is nothing like a good walk and some fresh air. Walking is known to be a great stress reliever and having contact with nature while doing so, can help you be mindful and release some neurotransmitters like endorphins that make your day a happier one.
I love staring out the window, breathing some fresh air, looking at the garden, watching the city and the people on the streets… It reminds me that no matter how long my to-do list is, no matter how close that deadline is, the world keeps going round and round.
5. Create healthy boundaries
A problem most people had at the beginning of the pandemic and their WFH experience was the schedule, everybody started to work until crazy schedules, making the line between personal and work life very blurry. You must know your limits and respect them.
As well as how you work best, some people need to segment their activities, some others can integrate personal and work-life while staying focused on both, and so on. The key is to find the balance that works best for you. We all know that setting those healthy boundaries is not that simple, if you struggle with that balance, we totally recommend this article.
Having and respecting a schedule that leaves time to eat, sleep, and rest is a gift that you give to yourself on a daily basis. Taking care of your mental and physical health is as important as being productive, and they correlate. Happy and healthy people are the most efficient and productive at work. So, Why don’t you apply these tips and start taking good care of yourself?
