Balancing Work From Home and Self Care

As Shelter In Place continues and more companies are extending their work from home orders, you may be discovering that while there are benefits, working from home can also be very challenging and isolating. It may be hard to remain focused and we miss our coworkers! It is becoming more important to find new ways to interact while also keeping an eye on our mental health and well-being.

Our daily routines have changed and it is completely natural for this disruption and uncertainty to lead to anxiety and stress. As we protect ourselves against potential exposure to the coronavirus, remember social distancing does not mean social isolation. Here are some practical tips on taking care of our mental health and well-being. 

Keep A Regular Schedule and Set Boundaries Create and maintain a routine schedule with a clear list of tasks for the day. If you need help prioritizing work and personal items, try making a WEB list. W – what you want to achieve, E – what you expect to achieve and B – what would be a bonus to achieve that day. Set up a designated space for you and each family member to work and learn. Remember to get up and move around your home to help you regain focus and provide exercise. It can be tempting to work more while you have your work at home, however it is best to make sure that you are working reasonable hours and separate from work at the end of the day. 

Stay connected and Get Creative Everyday encounters don’t spontaneously happen when you’re working from home, so you need to be proactive in maintaining positive relationships. Stay connected with coworkers, family, friends, and support systems using technology like FaceTime, Zoom, Google Hangout and other video-based options. Keeping in touch with your office besties will help you feel more engaged, productive and keep your office relationships going. Talk about your fears and concerns with people you trust. Chances are they are feeling the same way. You can also come up with new ideas like planning a Zoom team exercise session or watch a movie at the same time. There is no limit on creative ways to stay connected! 

Keep your immune system strong: Make a commitment to staying strong by washing your hands with soap for 20 seconds, get enough sleep, eat well, stay hydrated and limit contact with others. When planning your meals, focus on lean protein, whole grains, healthy fats, and lots of fruits and vegetables.

Exercise and stay active: Exercise is not only good for your physical health, but also your mental health. You should set aside time to move your body for at least 20-30 minutes per day. Walking, stretching, planking, jumping jacks or push-ups are easy to do while at home and can reduce stress while increasing endorphins. Many of our favorite gyms are offering free videos or app-based workouts for members and the general public.

Limit media consumption: Avoid continuous exposure to news, media, and social media that may trigger or elevate anxiety and stress. Stay informed by following just a few authoritative resources and then disconnect. Instead, engage in activities that benefit your well-being and distract you such as yoga, meditating, journaling, reading, art, cooking, breathing exercises, or listening to a podcast or music.

Managing Mental Health For those who have been diagnosed with mental health conditions, make sure you continue your treatment and medication. If your symptoms change or you need reassurance during this difficult time, call your provider’s office to see if they are offering virtual visits. Remember to consult with your provider or pharmacist if you are using over the counter medications such as cold and flu medications which may interact with antidepressants or antipsychotics. 

Let’s stay positive and focus on the silver linings provided during this time. At Arrive Real Estate Group we are more thankful than ever to enjoy the communities we live in and the extra time with our loved ones. Please let us know if we can be of help to you or your family in any way, we’re in this together!