Take Aways From This Post
Adjusting to remote working because of the current quarantine? It can really dampen the spirits if you are not used to working from home and stuck indoors for several days. Here are some tips for working from home for longer periods of time.
When I tell anyone I’ve been working from home for the past seven years, they’re either amazed or jealous. As great as it is, remote work or working from home comes with its own challenges.
Now in light of corona pandemic, many many traditional employers have switched to work from home policies. In fact, this has been said to be the BIGGEST work from home experiment by BBC.
Are you one of these newbie remote workers adjusting to your new work from home life?
Here are some of my sanity tips for working from home for newly appointed remote workers.
1. Take a Power Nap
This is an age-old classic for beating a post-lunch low.
A 20-minute power nap — sometimes called the stage 2 nap — is good for alertness and motor learning skills like typing and playing the piano.
So don’t reach out for that coffee if you are feeling sleepy. Nothing is as recharging as a good old nap session.
Make power naps a regular part of your work routine and bring your energy levels up. Next time when you feel the need for a break, set an alarm for a short snooze to combat fatigue and stay on top of things while working from home.
2. Teach Your Pet a Trick
Great new guys, science agrees too!
A number of studies have confirmed that people who spent time with animals experience some real mental and physical benefits. Lower blood pressure, a sense of belonging, fewer colds and flu, less stress and elevated mood levels are all proven ‘side-effects’ of having pets.
Now that you’re at home for longer periods of time, it might be a great time to pick your clicker and some treats.
Training is not just for your dog. Did you know that you can also train your cat? Here is a great guide on how to train your cat with a clicker and treats.
So next time you’re feeling low while working at home, call your pet and take it out for a walk or a training session. It’s amazing at what a difference spending time with a pet can make to your mood.
Enjoying these tips for working from home? Also read: Where to find remote jobs in Europe
3. Play Dress Up
As tempting as it may be, resist the urge to stay in your pj’s all day long.
According to a research by Northwestern University,
clothing affects our psychological procedures and have a true effect on our mindset. Apparently, clothes have symbolic significance for us. Our brain naturally links our outfits with the significance that it represents- whether it is sportswear, a corporate suit or cosy loungewear.
That’s right, people – the clothes we wear have an impact on our work performance and productivity. While there’s no need to dress up in a three-piece suit or a pencil skirt and heels when you’re working from your home, there’s still a way to get dressed for work.
Ladies and gents, enter – home office wardrobe!
Just wear what’s convenient and comfy for you – even if it’s jean with tee or a comfy dress.
The trick is to look presentable – imagine going on a shopping trip on a weekday, just without the high heels. Or a bra! 😉
Getting a daily routine — meaning brushing your teeth, doing your hair and getting out of your pyjamas — is essential, even if you’re just switching to yoga pants and a tee.
4. Take a Language Lesson
Learning a second language offers several undeniable cognitive benefits.
According to Lead With Languages,
People who speak more than one language have improved memory, problem-solving and critical-thinking skills, enhanced concentration, ability to multitask, and better listening skills.
They switch between competing tasks and monitor changes in their environment more easily than monolinguals, as well as display signs of greater creativity and flexibility.
If you are bored while working from home and need to switch things up a bit, download a simple language learning app like DuoLingo or Babble and start learning a language of your choice.
5. Start a Workout Session
Move. Your. Body. Really!
Ass in the chair for 8 to 10 hours each day is unhealthy. It will give you a host of long terms health issues like a sore neck, achy shoulders, stiff back or headaches. In worst cases something you could end up with a carpal tunnel syndrome or a heart condition.
Besides this, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is serious, people. Working from home for long periods of time can be very hard on remote workers.
No sunshine or fresh air can lower the spirits of even the most positive people. This can eventually lead to productivity issues and a lack of motivation.
Related: How working remotely improved my mental and physical health
Step outside to get some fresh air and sunshine if you have been indoors for too long. If you are a dog owner, you probably leave the house every day anyway.
But if you are a cat owner, you can also leash train the kitty to go out for walks.
If the weather is too bad to go outside, then regular indoor exercise also helps. There’s no need to get an expensive gym membership. A simple home workout session is also a great pick me up. You will need a yoga mat and some sports attire at most.
6. Cook a Meal
Cooking can be a stress-relieving activity for many. There is great joy in creating something from scratch.
This really cool write-up on Huffpost explains it nicely –
Psychologically, cooking is what’s called behavioral activation. To put together a good meal, you have to be engaged and present. You need to taste, make snap judgments, add or subtract heat. You can’t just stare out the window and think about your ex. It’s a positive mindful activity filled with easy, achievable goals.
Whether you are into cakes or curry – step away from your workspace and take a break to cook a healthy meal. You will need to eat sooner or later anyway. So might as well use your break time to prepare something tasty.
7. Take a Hot Shower
Skipped a shower this morning? Well, it might be a good time to jump into the shower now.
A good old hot shower can relax your nerves and calms you down.
It also reduces any tension in your muscles. The result is your entire body feeling calm and fresh. The hot water also improves oxytocin levels, and this, in turn, improves your mood and lowers stress levels.
The benefits are all around. In the heat, your muscles unlock and release, your skin gets a good cleanse and your immune system gets a good boost!
Taking a hot shower after a long day can help get rid of your stress. So a post-work shower is also a great idea to boost your spirits after a dwindling work from home day.
Your Turn!
Are you also a remote worker? How do you keep your spirits up when working from home for longer periods of time? Share your tips for working from home in the comments below!
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