With the current climate of the world, it seems like working from home is the new normal. Before the world pandemic many people, myself included, were not accustomed to the work-from-home life and had some major adjusting to do. In this post, I’m sharing ten tips for practicing self-care while working from home.
It is very easy to fall into a slump and dread the very mundane process of going from your bedroom to you workspace with very little change of scenery. The novelty wore off very quickly and I think like many of you, I actually miss my morning commute!
There is something about morning traffic, overpriced cups of coffee, and office chatter that I wish I could experience again. I definitely took this all for granted at one point in time. By creating a sense of normality in my new working-from-home routine, I find that I am able to get work done and feel accomplished at the 5 o’clock mark. Let’s get into some of my working-from-home tips.
Tips for Practicing Self-Care While Working from Home
1. Wake up early and have a morning routine
One of the best ways to get a good start to your day is to wake up as if you’re going to work as normal. I find that on days when I shower first thing in the morning and put on something other than pyjamas, I feel refreshed and in a more productive mood. Throw your daily skincare routine in the mix, brush your hair, and I guarantee you’ll feel ready to take on the day.
If you’re a coffee or tea drinker, make a fresh cup and take the time to actually enjoy it. I love my coffee maker which still gives me the “going to the café” feel without leaving my house. I like to either listen to some of my favourite podcasts in the morning or take the time to do my daily devotional.
2. Plan out your day and create a to-do list
Use a planner specifically for work that allows you to see your daily tasks and week at a glance. Not having people around or a team to bounce ideas off of might make getting the work day started a bit tough. Creating a to-do list of things that you need to get done not only helps you visualize your day but also helps you stay on task. I love these planners from Amazon that are under $6!
3. Create a dedicated workspace
Not all of us are fortunate enough to have a home office or a quiet space where we can go to get some work done. My dining room table and I have become very well acquainted in my working from home days. Where you set up your workspace doesn’t really matter, as long as you use it well.
There’s nothing wrong with having your computer or laptop set up in a common area like your dining room or the kitchen table, as long as the is a distinct difference between where you work and where you “play”. The goal is to simulate your “normal” working environment. You wouldn’t typically be working on the office couch and watching the lunch room tv, would you?
4. Utilize your most productive time slot and do the most important things first
Getting the most out of your preferred time of productivity can really help with prioritizing tasks throughout the day. If you’re most productive in the morning, get a strong start on your to-do list early on.
If it takes you some time to get into full work mode and you work better in the latter part of the day, finish strong. For the most part, working from home does allow you the freedom to work at your own pace (within reason, of course). Find your peak time for performance and use that window of time to be as productive as you can be.
5. Take your lunch hour and leave your work area
I cannot stress this one enough. Step away from your workspace during your lunch break and eat your meal in a different area. Even if it means you’re just moving to the couch or the kitchen counter. If you can avoid it, try not to take your lunch and eat while working.
If you can prep your lunch the night before or have something ready to whip up to eat, this will help you make the most of your lunchtime. Use this time to go outside and get some fresh air, catch up with friends on the phone, or pop out to grab a coffee.
Stepping away from your workspace and having time away from your work will help you come back with a fresh set of eyes. You might even find that second wind of energy that helps you push through to the end of the day.
6. Minimize unnecessary distractions
Treat your at-home work day just as you would if you were going into the office. It might be tempting to turn on Netflix and binge-watch your favourite show or call your best friend to chat. If you must have background noise, opt for podcasts (can you tell I’m a big fan?) or music instead.
7. Take regular breaks throughout the day
There is nothing wrong with working in time slots and taking regular breaks while doing tasks. I can’t be the only one whose eyes start to gloss over if I’ve been staring at the computer screen for far too long. Even if your five-minute break consists of brewing a fresh cup of coffee or tea, getting a snack, or walking around to stretch your legs.
Consider the amount of time you spend during the day at the office walking around, chatting with coworkers, and going back and forth to the printer/photocopier. You are not constantly glued to your desk and expected to be in 100% work mode for 8 hours straight.
Give yourself some grace and break up your work day. Chances are you’re not working on an extremely comfortable office chair so a short walk around the house to get a good stretch will do you some good.
8. Have an end to your workday
The work day ends when you’re at the office thus it should also end when you’re working from home. It’s important to draw the line in the sand that keeps you from overworking yourself. We all have our fair share of work projects and files that often don’t adhere to the 9-5 day but know when to shut it down.
The idea of working from home doesn’t mean you are suddenly on the clock 24/7 just because your work computer is within arms reach. Work-life balance still exists from home. Surely employers are not expecting their staff to be working at all hours of the day and night.
9. Don’t forget to take care of yourself
Working from home may sometimes lead to us neglecting our self-care. Since there isn’t a distinct separation between work and home, we won’t often give ourselves the time to unwind and take a breath. Personally, I catch myself getting up from my workspace and heading right into the kitchen to start preparing dinner.
With so many responsibilities that we juggle in our personal lives, there isn’t always an opportunity to “turn it off”. Make time for a nice bath (or steamy shower) at the end of the day, cozy up on the couch, read a book, or do something that will bring you peace and joy at the end of day.
10. Join virtual co-working spaces online
This is something that I’ve recently discovered and I think it is really cool. If you’re someone that used to taking advantage of co-working spaces this virtual twist is a great way to connect, increase productivity, and bounce ideas off of people if that’s your thing. This is a cool platform to check out!
Being productive while working from home takes a lot of discipline. We are all adjusting and learning as we go. To enhance your productivity and practice self-care while working from home, remember these helpful tips: drink lots of water, get a comfortable chair if you can, open a window and let some fresh air and sunlight in if possible, and meal prep so that you are not just snacking all day long, and get outside as much as you can. These are simple things that often get overlooked.
WORK FROM HOME ESSENTIALS
Thank you for the valuable tips Jo. well thought out and easy to implement.
Thanks for reading, sis! I hope you found them helpful 🙂