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Have you ever thought how fabulous it would be to roll out of bed, turn on your laptop, and begin working? Imagine having NO commute to the office and NO hustle and bustle of living in a high traffic area. Also, what about having no supervisor over your shoulder, checking your work and having the freedom to work where you want. While working from home has its perks, there is a work-life balance to consider. You may struggle with getting your day going, officially ending your day on time, and taking routine breaks and/or a real lunch break. It can be tempting to give into distractions and interruptions throughout your day. If you have children, depending on their age, you may need to work around their school schedule. Family members, friends, and neighbors may ask you to engage with them during work hours, not respecting your work boundaries. Lack of exercise can impact your mental health and sleep. All of these things can negatively impact your work-life balance and wreak havoc on your mental health.
Below are some helpful tips to reduce work-associated stress and set yourself up to effectively work from home:
1. Create a ritual that marks the beginning and end of your workday. Set a morning alarm to wake up at the same time every morning. Eat lunch at the same time every day. Get up every hour or two and move around to increase body movement.
2. Working from home can feel isolating. Set up a regular time to FaceTime or call your friends and family. Meet up with colleagues for Happy Hour or lunch. Also, schedule things outside the home in the evenings or go to the gym after work.
3. Take a well-deserved break or take a few moments to stretch or do a gentle exercise to keep up your motivation.
4. If someone requests something from you during work hours, it’s OK to say no especially if it interferes with your ability to get your job done.
5. Prioritizing self-care is crucial when working from home. Here are some ways to practice self-care:
a. Exercise regularly
b. Practice mindful meditation
c. Practice Yoga
d. Read during your downtime
e. Listen to soothing music
f. Spend time with family and friends
Are you experiencing work-related stress and/or anxiety and need a listening ear? Reach out to us today to get started with therapy. The best thing you can do for yourself is to ask for help when you are feeling overwhelmed and overworked.
Here's a useful article regarding burnout at work. Check it out! https://www.toptal.com/remote/remote-work-burnout-a-cautionary-tale
Email us at info@thinkhappylivehealthy.com or complete our intake form here: www.thinkhappylivehealthy.com/contact10.