With the recent outbreak of Coronavirus, many of us have had to adapt to the new challenges of working from home. Whilst this is a new experience for some, others have been working from home for much longer. So what are their secrets on staying motivated, productive and most importantly… de-stressed after working from home?
If you were new to working from home, you may assume that this would be relatively stress-free. After all, there are no more long commutes, traffic queues or anxiety-inducing presentations. As you may have already discovered, this is not always the case, with working from home coming with its own array of stressors. These can range from internet problems, difficulty communicating, distractions and the struggle of knowing when to ‘switch off’ at the end of the work day.
With the government limiting social interaction and closing many of our typical ‘de-stress’ locations such as gyms, restaurants and spas, it is down to us to find new ways to de-stress after working from home.
1. Create a work space
Creating a place in your home for work will help you find balance between work and play. If you are working from your living room sofa but also like to de-stress there at the end of the day, you might find your days will begin to blur into one. If you are working in a family space you may also experience distraction from others in your home. So, for tomorrow’s work day, make sure you are set up somewhere out of the way and ask for this to be your dedicated, quiet work area between certain times. Whether this is the dining room table or a desk in a spare bedroom, this space can become your new peaceful area to focus on work and channel your productivity. This will give you the chance to ‘leave work’ and de-stress after a day working from home, and allow you to keep your peaceful areas work-free and family focused.
For more on this you can read our blog ‘Home-Workers: How To Work Out Your Ideal Work-Life Balance’ here.
2. Meditation
Meditation doesn’t just involve sitting on the floor, cross legged making ‘ohm’ noises. Meditation is a quick way for you to de-stress during or after your home workday. It can even be done sitting at your desk! Meditation is the art of quieting your mind and shutting out the noise of your surroundings. If you feel your heart rate quickening and your stress level beginning to rise whilst working or at the end of the day, take a moment to close your eyes and empty your mind. As you focus on the sensations of here and now, such as the scents you can smell and the sensation of your clothes against your skin, you will find yourself feeling more calm and relaxed. Practicing mindfulness after you finish your work for the day can also act as the perfect transition. Where you would normally have the time to unwind during your commute home, meditation will allow you to ‘switch gears’ and enter your evening in a peaceful mind state.
If you are new to meditation and not sure where to start, you can always read our guide on Meditation for Beginners here.
3. DE-STRESS Aromatherapy
DE-STRESS Aromatherapy is something you can incorporate into your everyday that will give you the time to Stop, Inhale and Reset. Whenever you find yourself feeling overwhelmed or stressed, whether during work or your evening routine, aromatherapy can provide a moment of calm in your day. Our DE-STRESS Aromatherapy Balm provides an easy-to-use aromatherapy technique. Our Balms are blended with Chamomile to promote calmness, Neroli to encourage relaxation and Mandarin to help soothe tension and support feelings of well-being. Simply apply the balm to your pulse points (wrists, temple and neck) and raise your wrists to your nose, deeply inhaling the Balms scent. As the essential oils are absorbed into your bloodstream, visualise the mind state that you wish to achieve in the moment. As you exhale deeply, step into the next moment of your daily journey in a calmer, more stress-free way. Our DE-STRESS Aromatherapy Balms and this aromatherapy technique make the perfect addition to your at-home work space or to incorporate into your evening rituals such as meditation.
4. Switch off to ‘switch off’
One of the most important ways to de-stress after working from home is switching off… literally! Just as creating a work environment allows you to find separation in your day, so does switching off your technology. There is no point in creating a work space if you take it with you into your evening ritual. When you shut down your computer for the evening, make sure to switch off your phone and your emails too. This will prevent you from feeling overwhelmed, overworked or distracted after your work day.
5. Digital detox
The blue light emitted from your screens sends signals to your brain to stay awake which can inevitably result in a disrupted night's sleep. If you find yourself still glued to your devices after the work day has finished, make sure two hours before bed you avoid looking at any harsh light from your technology. Instead, take a warm bath, read a book or enjoy quality time with your loved ones. A good night’s sleep is a sure way to help you combat feelings of stress in the evening and prepare you for the next day. You can read our blog on ‘5 Ways A Digital Detox Can Benefit Your Wellbeing’ here for more tips on how you can achieve this.