Working from home can be stressful in the best of times. Here are some tips to help you stay mentally well while working at home.
Create Your Space
Designate a space that is just for work. Don’t pile your laundry on it at the end of the day and leave snack dishes out all over. Make it a space that is visually appealing and helps you focus. Do you need to rearrange your room so that your desk is near the window? Do you need better lighting. Think about your ideal environment, and do what you can to get close to that with the tools you have. You might need to buy something small like a lamp, but if it adds value to your workday, it’s definitely worth the expense.
When you create a space that inspires you and you respect that space by not cluttering it up with household things, it helps keep your mind clearer for work which improves your mental wellness.
Use Your Calendar
I block out so many more things on my calendar now than I used to. Things like journaling, taking my pills, reading, doing my devotions and prayers, affirmations, all of these things go in my calendar. I learned that if something is really important to you, you will put it in your calendar. It doesn’t matter if it’s a small thing that is a five minute appointment each day. Now that you have it in your calendar, you will be more likely to do it, and when you do it, you feel that sense of accomplishment. No matter how your actual “workday” goes, there will be several things on your calendar that you were able to complete.
Take Meaningful Breaks
When you’re working from home, it’s easier to work through your breaks. You grab a snack, sit back down, and keep working. Having that time away from your work though, even if it’s just 5-10 minutes, is so good for your brain. It centers you and re-energizes you. Take a quick walk around your house, have a glass of water, read a couple pages of a book, or even meditate for 5 minutes. Being able to disengage for a bit will do a world of good for your mind.