5 Mental Health Tips for Working at Home
With many of us making the transition to working from home, a lot of people are experiencing a variety of emotions that come from shifting away from the traditional office. Some people enjoy the freedom of working from home and others miss the usual buzz they used to know. Either way, it is important to take care of yourself mentally while quarantining to take care of yourself physically. Check out these mental health tips to keep your head while you work from home:
Choose a designated workspace. If you have a room in your home you can dedicate as a home office, this step will be easy for you. However, space is at a premium for many of us, but that does not mean you cannot still find a workspace that works for you. Maybe sitting at your kitchen table with your laptop is preferable, or perhaps you have a favorite comfy chair. Whatever it is, find an area that is just for work and try to avoid using it when you are not on the clock. The mental shift of being in your work zone versus your non-work zone can help you keep work at work so that the line between work and leisure stays clear.
Move around. Working from home can be conducive to a more sedentary lifestyle because you do not have to walk around an office. Make sure you are still making an effort to get up and move around throughout the day! Many apps for your phone will send you hourly reminders to get up and move, or you can take a break to do ten minutes of yoga or play with your pet. It does not matter what you do as long as you move!
Get dressed. At first, working in your pajamas can feel like the height of luxury. However, it can be beneficial to get dressed in the morning before you start working for the day. Routines can help us get into the right mindset and going through the effort of getting dressed can help you mentally prepare. Plus, if you wear the same pajama pants for several days in a row, there is no way that is going to be helpful to your mental state. As an added bonus, you will be camera-ready for any impromptu video chats with your boss!
Set a schedule. During quarantine, the days can all blend together. What day is it? What month is it? Who knows anymore? You do, if you create a schedule! Setting a personal schedule that works for your career needs can help give your day structure and aid your productivity. Additionally, you will have a clear finish time for your day with a schedule so you can fully enjoy your leisure time once you are done.
Consider speaking with a counselor. There is a lot going on in the world right now and things can feel very overwhelming. Your mental health is just as important as your physical health and there are tons of services out there so you can remotely meet with a mental health professional via text, phone, and video chat.
What are your favorite ways to care for your mental health while working from home? Post a photo on social media and tag us @therealbodepro!