The Importance of Self-Care When Social Distancing and Working From Home
When working from home, the line between your personal and professional life can become increasingly blurred, which can make it difficult to “turn off” and relax. As more and more people work from home and remotely, the challenge of establishing work-life balance has become increasingly significant and should be a priority for not only the workers but the employers as well.
The good news is that the flexibility of working from home offers many more opportunities to take care of both your psychological and physical health, which will then complement the quality of work and increase productivity. To maintain your emotional and physical well-being while practicing social distancing, here are some tips to keep your two worlds balanced while working from home.
Try to disconnect from your work from home office
Keep your work out of areas where you relax and spend your home life. This means leaving your laptop and work phone in your office. Disconnecting is essential for several reasons. Not only can it help us appreciate the present moment but keeping up with current events can be exhausting. In the case of COVID-19, we are bombarded all day every day with breaking news of the rapid spread. Although staying up to date is important, obsessing over what is happening in the world can be stressful and could have detrimental impacts on our well-being. Although staying connected to friends and family is important, especially during times of isolation and social distancing, make sure that you are tuning out each day and dedicating parts of the day to yourself. This could mean writing in your journal, going for a walk, or listening to music.
Of all the challenges of working from home, establishing a work-life balance is probably the most difficult because the two worlds literally occupy the same physical space. You need to have a designated area for work where there’s minimal interruption and distraction, creating an important border between the two areas of your life.
Eat healthy, nutritious foods
Studies have shown that a healthy body is not only greatly beneficial to our happiness but also to our productivity and overall well-being. When working from home, have several nutritious options available. Remember to hydrate and drink water regularly. Making yourself a healthy and sustaining lunch can be a nice break in your workday. Re-fueling and replenishing your body is essential to be able to think clearly, and work efficiently and effectively. Proper nutrition can help eliminate ‘brain fog,’ supports a strong immune system, and promotes a healthy mindset. Nutritious foods can benefit concentration and cognitive function, increasing a worker’s performance and productivity. It is well documented that employee well-being leads to higher creativity and productivity. The World Health Organization says good nutrition can increase national productivity levels by as much 20%. Healthy employees are happier, calmer, more engaged, sleep better and get sick less often.
Get a lot of exercise
Like nourishing food, exercise has been proven to improve mental wellness and quality work. During breaks, or even before or after work, go for a run, cycle, or brisk walk – your body and mind will thank you. 30 mins of exercise each day plays a significant role in reducing stress levels, improving memory, and aiding brain function. All these components allow you to think more clearly and accomplish your workday goals more effectively. Furthermore, getting outside for some exercise and fresh air is a great way to break up your workday and reset. According to the National Library of Medicine, exercise can “help you deal with stress and reduce your risk of depression" as well as “help keep your thinking, learning, and judgment skills sharp as you age” and “improve the structure and function of your brain.”
Get a lot of sleep
Depending on your work and home schedule, sleep may be something you don’t get enough of. An irregular work schedule can impact your sleep, causing insomnia and even digestive and heart issues. Inconsistent, inadequate sleep can seriously negatively impact your work as well as your personal lives so it should be a priority. If possible, try to stick to a regular sleep schedule as best as possible. If you’re tired during the work day, plan power naps which can boost your energy and as a result, your productivity and mood. According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, you should get a minimum of seven hours of sleep each night - the recommended range is between seven to eight hours. The psychological effects of sleeplessness can include paranoia, hallucinations, mania, and memory loss — all of which can seriously hurt your work productivity and relationships.
Connect and communicate with others
When working at home and away from your coworkers, it can get a bit lonely and have negative impacts on your mental health. While the solution to this in pandemic-free circumstances would be to go out to meet friends, during this time, try to connect with loved ones via video chat regularly. It might also be useful to explore various interactive apps that allow you to interact with your friends and family virtually, such as Netflix Party which allows you to watch and discuss a show or movie with your friends in various locations. Several board games, such as Scrabble, also have their own apps through which you can play your favorite games online with your friends in real-time. Although not as social as meeting in-person, these are viable options while we are all practicing social distancing and are a great way to stay connected with those you care about.
Visit our other blogs in the Working From Home Series:
Increase Productivity While Working From Home Office
How To Manage Your Employees Working From Home During The Coronavirus
Working From Home Tips During the Coronavirus
How To Protect Your Employees Working From Home Alone During The Coronavirus Pandemic