Healthy habits for working from home
Currently we are all faced with a situation that has upset our normal routine and created many restrictions. No one can say for certain how long the coronavirus pandemic will last or when our lives will get back to normal. There is even a school of thought predicting that life will not revert to the way it was before and we will need to adapt to a new normal.
Many people are now working from home and adapting to a whole new way of living. This time, in many ways, gifts you an opportunity to do some valuable self-reflection. You will be able to examine your existing habits and behaviours, and make some choices about which habits will be good for you to take forward. This is also the time to take good care of yourself, so you can emerge positively from this situation.
It is useful to understand that a great deal of what you do is carried out on autopilot, which means you don’t always apply conscious thought to your actions. This can be useful if the habits you are performing are constructive, positive and healthy. If, however, you have collected habits that are not relevant or useful, or are even detrimental to your wellbeing, it is important that you address them and make changes. Building good pathways into your daily routine will go a long way to supporting your overall wellbeing.
Here are 10 tips to help you to establish a healthy routine:
1. Wake up with an attitude of gratitude
Before you reach for your phone or get out of bed, just spend a few moments reflecting on what you are grateful for in your life. Various studies have shown that having an appreciative mind-set can have a powerful effect on the way you perceive your reality and, ultimately, the way you deal with what is going on around you.
2. Embrace the day
Get up and get going. It is not a good idea to start your workday while you are still in bed, so get washed and dressed, and take pride in your appearance even if you aren’t going to see anyone.
3. Morning exercise
Start the day with some exercise. When you go outside for a walk, remember to practice social distancing. You could also look online for some exercise classes to follow to keep you motivated. Get up every 30 minutes to stretch and do some deep breathing.
4. Structure your day
With so much turbulence about, it will be really beneficial for your mental health to establish a routine. This will help you to embed good habits and behaviours. Structure your day by creating a plan with timed activities like meals, relaxation breaks, and check-ins with work, family and friends.
5. Limit your news intake
If you look at bad news, make sure you actively seek out something positive as well so that you create a healthy balance of what else is going on around you. Also limit yourself to the amount of times you check the news.
6. Let the laughter in
Find things that make you laugh, as laughter is a great stress reliever. Connect with someone who is uplifting, watch a comedy show or spend a few minutes watching something funny to provide distraction and give you a boost.
7. Nourish yourself well
Being stuck at home can lead to boredom because of the lack of variety in your life so it could be easy to overeat and spend time fridge-gazing. Sugary snacks and caffeine may give you a quick fix, but in excess they are bad for your health both physically and mentally. Avoid snacking but, if you do want something, prepare small portions of chopped fruit or vegetables so you always have some healthy food nearby.
8. Drink water
By keeping hydrated you will feel more alert and energised. There are lots of delicious herbal teas available and these will also add to your recommended quota of around two litres a day.
9. Stay connected
Humans are social creatures and thrive by feeling connected to others. Technologies provide you with so many different ways to communicate, so reach out and start some positive conversations today.
10. Learn something new every day
You may find you have more free time on your hands, so use it wisely. This is the perfect time to try out new things and keep your mind fresh and stimulated. By being creative you will have the opportunity to explore, discover, learn and grow.
