How to Self-Care And Be Productive When Working From Home
Kristyn Meyer is on a journey to make herself the best human that she can be. These posts are a reflection of that. She welcomes your support via reading and through commissioned affiliate links within her posts! To stay up to date on all of her shenanigans, please subscribe to her email list! (psst…there’s a free gift involved)
This week I have for you a guest post from fellow blogger and friend Georgi Todorov. He is a digital marketing specialist at Green Park Content. Recently he started his own blog about digital marketing called DigitalNovas. Georgi is the creator of The Actionable Link Building Training. Hit him up on Twitter anytime!
When working from home, it’s easy to be constantly caught up in your professional life and forget to switch off. The thing is, constantly swiping down on your work emails and Zoom-calling your colleagues are not going to make you any more productive. In fact, it can make your brain go into overload and exhaust you. The healthy way to acing your career is by taking time out for yourself – the key is showing yourself a bit of love, chilling out, and enjoying yourself.
Everyone needs a bit of TLC, a touch of self-care!
This can be done in so many different ways! As long as you feel relaxed and the work compartment in your brain has gone to sleep, that’s the main thing! We know how hard that is!
We are so used to doing things for others, sometimes we just need to take time out to do something for us. It isn’t being selfish, it’s valuing yourself as a person! Taking care of yourself will have a long term effect on your personal and work lives – you will be happier, healthier, and more productive and creative.
Get Out
Whether it’s on your break or at the end of a long day, getting out is important. The day has flown by and you haven’t even had time to enjoy the great outdoors – but there’s still time! Miriam Herst from All Things Hair US advises, “It’s easy to get caught up in work and forget to get outside and take a break from staring at the computer all day. I’ve been using my lunch break to walk to the park to get some fresh air. I come back to my at-home work station refreshed and reenergized. It’s easily my best tip for staying productive while working from home!”
Say When Enough Is Enough
It’s the evening, you want to unwind – whether it’s hitting the gym or eating your favorite treat in front of a film, and then, suddenly the phone rings… It’s your boss! Sometimes, it’s important to go above and beyond. Other times, when you’re emotionally and physically exhausted, remember the power of the word “no”. You don’t need to be rude, but show yourself some love by saying you will check it out the next day, or later. Everyone needs to switch off, and everyone needs to have some privacy. It’s not being selfish. It’s called looking out for yourself.
Be Active
As well as looking after your body, look after your mind by keeping fit and active. You will feel like you have accomplished so much by hitting the gym or going for a run. Exercise is known to significantly improve your mental health by releasing endorphins. According to Science Daily, “A study of 1.2 million people in the USA has found that people who exercise report having 1.5 fewer days of poor mental health a month, compared to people who do not exercise”. If you don’t like doing it alone, then why not join a group or convince a few friends to join you via Facetime to try a new sport – yoga, Pilates, cardio, you can choose!
Experiment With Your Style
Self-care can be considered as getting to know yourself and working on your identity. Whether it’s cleaning out your wardrobe and revamping your look, or trying out bouncy curls or opt for a bold pixie cut. Experimenting with your look allows you to feel refreshed and glamorous – so why not give it a go?
Being Grateful
When you’ve had a tricky day, sometimes it’s hard to find the silver lining. Take some time out to write about anything you have been grateful for throughout the day. Even if it’s just being grateful to have finished and crashed out on the couch, it’s still something! Even after a difficult day, this form of self-care will help you gain a more positive outlook and not just after hours!
It’s Ok To Be Alone
When you’re working from home, and things are getting… let’s say a little chaotic – it’s ok to ask for some alone time. It’s not selfish, it doesn’t mean that you love your partner or roommate any less, but sometimes real silence gives you time to think and relax. Solitude isn’t necessarily a punishment – according to Thuy-vy Nguyen, assistant professor at the department of psychology at Durham University. Solitude helps us regulate our emotions, and this has a calming effect on us.
Spend Time With Loved Ones
This isn’t to say that you shouldn’t see anyone at all! Part of showing yourself some love is by surrounding yourself with positive and loving people. Take some time out to see your friends and family. Whether it’s face-to-face or over a Skype call, whatever your method may be, it will help you feel better about things and make you feel ready to face anything and anyone! The woes of today will have slowly disappeared by the end of the call or meet up.
Get Enough Rest Or Sleep
Rest, or even better sleep, is so important to take care of yourself. You don’t want to exhaust yourself and run down your mind and body. “The body not only needs sleep to regenerate and create energy but it’s also processing everything that has happened that day”, according to Adia Health. On those days where you want to give yourself a little more TLC, head to bed earlier. And make your bedroom a more relaxing place! Nothing beats fresh sheets and an early night!
Eat Healthier
Though we tend to opt for unhealthy options when we want to treat ourselves, the real way to treat yourself is by taking care of your body. Improve your cooking skills by discovering new and healthy recipes that will taste and look amazing. A healthy diet will also allow you to feel better, more prepared, and less dragged down. Sugary foods can enhance mood swings, so make sure you’re only having the occasional treat.
In Conclusion,
Figuring out how to self-care can take some trial and error, but the long-term effects will be worth it. Investing in yourself is the best one that you can make.
