Many people are working from home at the moment and it might be that you are too. While staying at home to work does have its advantages, care does need to be taken. And by ‘care,’ we are primarily talking about your self-care, as working from home can take its toll on both your physical and your mental health.
To properly care for yourself, take note of the following.
#1: Keep to a consistent sleep schedule
You will understand the benefits of sleep, of course. After a decent night’s shut-eye, you will feel refreshed, energized, and ready for the day ahead. However, it’s very easy for somebody working from home to disrupt their usual sleeping pattern. You might relate to this if you have ever been tempted to work into the night. You might also relate to this if you have been tempted to oversleep, especially if your schedule offers you some flexibility. A lack of sleep and too much sleep can result in you feeling groggy and unenergized, so both situations need to be avoided.
Create a work schedule that doesn’t involve working before bedtime. Do what you can to sleep well. And even if you have the morning off, get up at a decent time anyway to mentally refresh yourself for the day ahead.
#2: Create a healthy home office
Your home office should be optimized for your health. So, think about this when you’re setting yourself up. Purchase an ergonomic chair, an ergonomic mouse, and the best ergonomic keyboard, to ensure the best care for your body. Correctly position your computer monitor so you’re not straining your neck. Improve the air quality in the room by investing in a few plants, and by opening the windows to ensure proper airflow. And have bottles of water on standby to ensure you stay hydrated during the day.
Here are some other tips on creating a healthy workspace.
#3: Make time for exercise during the day
When working from home, it might be very easy for you to roll out of bed and into your office chair. You might also forget to take breaks when you have a busy schedule ahead of you. And when you have finished work for the day, you might be tempted to slouch on the sofa instead of going for a walk. A lack of exercise can become a problem, both for your physical and mental health, and for your productivity during the day.
So, take time out to exercise before you start work for the day. Walk around the block or try these home workout ideas. Schedule in breaks throughout the day too and do something active when you’re away from your desk. And spend some time after work engaged in some kind of physical activity. It is essential that you follow these steps as you might one day become prone to sedentary health issues if you’re sitting down for much of the day.
These are just a few aspects of self-care that you need to focus on when working from home. You probably won’t have a boss or a work colleague to remind you to do these things, so be mindful, and do what you can to care for your health yourself during the day.
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