White it feels ages ago, the COVID-19 pandemic has produced a new “normal” for many of us that is virtually unrecognizable. While millions of workers have now returned to regular employment after return to office (RTO) mandates, there is still a big chunk of the workforce who continue to work from home or plan to do so shortly.
Working from home has transformed many homes into a mixed use of residential and workplace. Remote work may sometimes lead to feelings of isolation, but many professionals still prefer the setup compared to hours of commuting and the extra costs of working at the office.
The main issue of remote work, in my case, is my mental health. As an extrovert, working at the office provided plenty of outlets to enjoy work and make lasting friendships. Short coffee breaks and chats with office friends and colleagues can minimize stress and pressures from deadlines and deliverables.
After all, tension, a lack of drive, anxiety, and uncertainty are all natural emotions. Furthermore, many of us may be concerned about optimizing remote work opportunities or the best way to combine work, personal, and family duties.
I will provide mental health tips in this article while working from home. These easy techniques may help you feel productive and inspired when working from home and caring for your mental health.
Table of Contents
1. Create a doable schedule and stick to it.
Without consistent routines, the lines between work and personal time might get blurred and challenging to achieve.
Maintain your usual sleeping and working schedule as much as possible. Every day, get up simultaneously, eat breakfast, and change out of your jammies. Schedule some “commute time” before checking in and exercising, reading, or listening to music.
But the most important thing you must do is stop when your work week is done. Turn off your computer, put down your email, and focus on your personal life.
Finally, try to go to bed simultaneously every night to ensure that you get enough sleep and receive good sleep. Things like putting down your phone or laptop before bedtime and reading assist your brain in realizing it’s time to relax.
2. Allow yourself a proper lunch break.
Make yourself a nice meal and eat it away from your desk. If you can safely do so, go outside, get some natural light, and try some exercise within social contact rules – it’s easy to get drawn into work after hours.
3. Keep a journal if you want to be more inspired.
Incorporating gratitude practice, ask “What was I grateful for today?” and learning, ask “What was I challenged by today?” You’ll start seeing areas where you can improve this working pattern in a week or so.
Soon, you’ll be able to tell when you’re most concentrated or require the most help. That could be different at home than at work. Use this with a paper bullet journal or calendar to keep thoughts, tasks, and accomplishments in one place.
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4. Set some limits.
Setting boundaries with other household members is essential for keeping your mental health while working from home.
Working from home gives you greater flexibility, so make use of it. However, it can be difficult if you have other distractions at home, such as children who may feel you are on vacation and want to spend time with you.
Have a discussion with your family about your needs. Remind them that you still have work to do and will need some quiet time to finish it, and share your schedule with them.
5. Make use of the available resources.
There is no scarcity of available resources online to help you navigate remote work. Many employers also provide employee assistance programs and other benefits offered explicitly to those working from home.
Use these wherever and whenever you need them – many have dedicated apps and websites, and they aren’t only for counseling.
If you have continuing health or mental health concerns, your employer is obligated to offer reasonable accommodations even if you haven’t revealed them. This scenario could entail working from home, receiving additional help from management, or purchasing equipment.
6. Understand your thoughts.
Try to figure out how you’re feeling – what are you looking forward to about getting back to business as usual? What appears to be difficult?
Recognize how conditions and limits affect your moods and emotions and how you feel about restrictions being lifted. Try to keep a daily journal of what has gone smoothly and has been difficult.
Discuss your concerns with a spouse, friend, or coworker.
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7. Keep in touch.
While working from home offers advantages, it can also make you feel alone. However, there are numerous ways to stay in touch with those who matter, improving their mental health and our own.
Human interaction is essential both at work and outside of business, so organize video calls and pick up the phone instead of emailing. Talk to your coworkers or manager about your issues if you have trouble working from home.
Always remember that your coworkers are probably feeling the same way you are. Ask about how they are doing and whether there are any ways you can help each other.
8. Be conscious of how much effort it takes to return to the office – make sure you rest.
In the near term, any change is taxing. There will be much adjustment if you return to commuting or being among people for most of the day. You’ll be exhausted.
You’ll need your weekends and evenings, as well as your friends and other things that keep you going.
Sleep is essential for our mental health, but so is downtime. Schedule some time off before prospective long holidays, make sure you turn off after hours, and don’t try to be a superhero by ignoring slight sickness or exhaustion.
9. Find your inner balance.
Many people’s lives were affected due to lockdowns, furloughs, and working from home. You may have started a new career or job and met your coworkers for the first time.
After stopping your global travels, you may have reconnected with your children and partner, or you may have lost connection with folks you met a second time in a sports team, club, or community group that you could not join.
Maintain the positive practices you developed during the lockdowns and your awareness of your community and neighborhood.
Keep asking yourself what you want from life and your job, and if it feels appropriate, create some goals.
Most importantly, be gentle with yourself and find a method to receive what you require for your mental health.
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10. Be kind to yourself.
Understand that the current remote work set-up only supplants your workplace. Everything remains the same. As such, be gentle with yourself and accept that you may not be as productive as you usually are.
Do not add unnecessary pressure on yourself. Just because you work from home does not mean there are more unrealistic expectations in your productivity.
Be realistic about what you can accomplish given the conditions, and unwind once you’ve completed your work.
Takeaway
Working from home may not be ideal during this period, but you can make the most of it.
You can find yourself living a life that feels like a long winter break or summer vacation. Allow yourself time to acclimate to your new work life, as adjusting to the new normal takes time.
Have faith in your flexibility to cope and discover a work-life balance that works for you—pat yourself on the back for all you’ve accomplished, even if there have been some setbacks.
If you have self-care techniques that work for you, be sure you have everything you need. You should think differently by conducting exercise regimens from videos rather than visiting classes.
Consider looking into mindfulness practices or ways to serve others in your neighborhood. Self-compassion and support for others will be essential.
