I’ve been working from home now for nearly one year. I’ve noticed I have fewer boundaries (my “office” is in my kitchen) and more aches and pain due to sitting for lengthy periods.
While things are moving in a positive direction related to the coronavirus vaccine, it seems we still have a way to go.
Physical and mental well-being are essential factors in making sure we feel good about the contribution we’re making both at work and home.
In light of this, here are five tips to make your well-being a priority while working from home:
Create a separate workspace within your home. I worked in my kitchen for eight months and found I was always distracted by people coming in and out. I also found that I never shut work off. Creating a separate space sets boundaries and allows you to walk away from work. It doesn’t need to be anything fancy. I set up a small desk in the corner of my living room.
Get up and walk every once in a while. A couple of laps around the house every hour does a body good. If you can’t do laps, march in place. Take some deep breaths, stretch and refocus.
Leave small bits of time in between meetings. This is a BIG one. Give yourself a 15-minute buffer in between Zooms to grab a cup of tea or glass of water, use the restroom, and move your body.
Designate stop and start times. In this new world, we could be working all the time. Save yourself from burn-out by committing when you will begin work and when you will stop work. It’s ok to say no to a meeting request that falls outside of those guidelines.
Take time for yourself in the middle of the day. Exercise, a walk in the brisk air, or even a cat nap can re-energize you, clear your mind and make you ready to take on the next zoom meeting or big task.
Working from home certainly has its pros and cons. One thing is for sure, if you’re taking care of yourself, you’ll be able to take care of others as well.
What strategies do you use to stay healthy while working from home?
I’d love to know. Leave me a comment below.
P.S. Here are 7 things that inspired me this week:
This is my truth.
I love these reminders from Maria Shriver.
Gil has been singing this song in school. I love hearing him sing it, especially when he doesn’t know I’m listening.
Have you ordered this book? Mine’s coming on March 30th. I can’t wait.
My favorite insta post this week.
This. On empathetic leadership from Amy Rebecca Gay, a coach I highly respect.
Wow. If Rosa Parks didn’t inspire you before, read this. I love the lesson. Never give up.
Photo by Jess Bailey on Unsplash
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