in Health
Self-care tips for working from home
As the UK heads into winter, seasonal flu has taken a whole new meaning, given the COVID-19 pandemic. Many are now warning of a second wave of the virus, as the number of cases sees an uptake, prompting lockdowns and restrictions in parts of the country. For the average employee, this means that working from home might be here for a little while longer.
Even though working from home is often regarded as an employee benefit, it can take a toll on one’s mental health, especially with all that’s happening at the moment. If you’re looking for ways to make working at home easier, this Pacific Prime UK article is a good bet, as we’ll provide you with tips for self-care at home.
7 Self-care tips for working from home
Without further ado, here are 7 self-care tips for you to bear in mind if you find yourself working from home!
1. Mornings set the tone for the rest of your day. Practice mindfulness and get into a productive mindset.
One of the biggest advantages of working from home is not having to deal with the morning commute. But simply rolling out of bed and getting out your laptop to work is not advisable either. Use that extra time in the morning for self-care practices, as it’ll make a difference in your state of mind:
- Practice mindfulness: You can try guided meditation, breathing exercises, or even apps like Calm. It’ll help you boost your emotional resilience so you’ll be ready to deal with whatever obstacle comes your way.
- Get into a productive mindset: While you can work in pyjamas, straight out of bed, you won’t feel like you’re in the right frame of mind. Taking a shower, dressing the part, and allocating time for breakfast will make you feel ready to take on the world.
2. A dedicated workspace goes a long way, so make sure you declutter, feel comfortable, and add nice touches!
You should ideally have a dedicated workspace in your home. Without this, it’ll be challenging to achieve a work-life balance, which can be detrimental to your mental health. If you don’t have a home office, you can just keep your work to one designated area and close the door on it when you’re done for the day. Another good work from home tip is to spruce up this working area:
- Declutter: By decluttering your workspace, you’re also decluttering your mind. It’ll help you cut out the distractions and work optimally at home. In addition to decluttering, you can also go a step further to make things super organised.
- Think about comfort: If you’re not comfortable at your workspace, you’re not going to be able to work effectively. Look at your chair set up, lighting, the way your screen is positioned, etc.
- Add nice touches: Whether it’s a plant, flowers, or more, adding nice touches to your workspace can do wonders for your mental health. What’s more, you can also use aromatherapy to help you feel energised, uplifted, and clear-headed while working.
3. It’s all about the routines during times of uncertainty and stress.
As per a Very Well Mind article, an online resource for mental health information, psychologist Dr Rachel Goldman says: “When people don’t have a routine or structure to their day, it can cause increased stress and anxiety, as well as overwhelming feelings, lack of concentration, and focus”. Therefore, you should strive to incorporate routines.
- Conduct simple everyday activities: Don’t discount simply everyday activities in helping you create a feeling of regularity and rhythm. These include making your bed, tidying your workspace, taking a shower, eating a healthy breakfast, etc.
- Make a work plan and take breaks: If you’ve got different tasks to do, making a work plan and setting goals can help you avoid procrastination, multitasking, and motivate you to get things done. Additionally, accounting for regular breaks can also help.
- Create rituals: You could even take part in self-care rituals like having a bath, lighting a candle with an energising scent, etc. It’ll help signify the end of your work day and transition into leisure time.
4. Don’t let work spill into leisure time. Use that time without screens and to stay active.
Perhaps the most vital work from home tip is to strive to achieve a work-life balance. When you’re working and relaxing in the same space, it can be difficult to switch off, but nonetheless very important. Set manageable rules, such as not answering emails after a certain time. Moreover, ensure you take into account these wellness tips for leisure:
- Cut down on screen time: After spending all day on your screens, try and make some time to get away from it. Go for a walk, bake, paint, read, or take part in any other positive leisure activity.
- Staying active: Exercising regularly is great to get those endorphins flowing. If you’re unable to go out (due to health concerns), you can try online fitness classes, yoga, or any number of indoor exercises.
5. You are what you eat. Avoid sugary nibbles in favour of healthier alternatives.
If you’re feeling stressed, anxious, or even bored, it can be tempting to reach for that bag of crisps or your favourite chocolate bar. But, this is not a good strategy in the long-run. As the popular saying goes, you are what you eat, so eat wholesome, nutritious foods. Check out the British Nutrition Foundation’s tips for healthy snacking.
6. Social distancing doesn’t mean anti-social. Find ways to connect with people and go outside.
The best way to be safe at the moment is to social distance, but this is bad for our mental health as we’re social creatures that need to connect with people. Especially if you’re living on your own, make sure you have a support network made up of family and friends. Here are ideas of what you can do:
- Video call and get creative: Even if you can’t meet loved ones, you can set up video calls instead. You can also get creative by arranging film dates or other activities. For example, Netflix Party is an extension that allows you to watch films with friends!
- Step outside: Being cooped up in your house all day isn’t great for your mental health. Go outside if you can, especially if it’s a nice day. Getting fresh air can make you feel refreshed and recharged.
7. Wind down properly at the end of the day, as nothing beats a good night’s sleep.
Finally, when it’s time to call it a night, make sure you wind down properly. You can try journaling, as that’ll help you empty your head onto the paper. Or even a gratitude diary to help you focus on the positives, which is important given the current state of the world. Alternatively, try meditation or listening to calming music. Find what works for you, helps you relax, and get a good night’s sleep.
Consider health insurance as a way to prioritize your health and wellbeing
Now, more than ever, health should be a priority. While all legal residents can access the NHS, and many employees can go private using their group health insurance plan, it’s worth securing your own health insurance plan in the UK. The NHS is plagued with long wait times, while group health insurance plans aren’t always the most comprehensive, and they’re also tied to your job.
If you’re looking for health insurance plans in the UK, whether it’s expat health insurance, family health insurance, or more, you can compare health insurance plans through Pacific Prime UK. As a brokerage, we have long-standing partnerships with top local and global insurers, enabling us to help you find the right plan for your needs and budgets.
We also have expert insurance advisors on hand who are ready to provide you with impartial advice, a free quote, and support even after you’ve secured a health insurance plan! Did we mention that we provide this service at no additional cost to you versus going direct to the insurer? Contact us today to learn more!
With over 5 years of experience in the field, Suphanida spends the majority of her day synthesizing complex pieces of insurance-related information and translating this into easy-to-understand, engaging, and effective content across a variety of media such as articles, infographics, whitepapers, videos, and more.
Suphanida is also responsible for planning and publishing three whitepapers released annually by Pacific Prime: The State of Health Insurance Report, The Cost of Health Insurance Report, and The Global Employee Benefits Trends Report. Additionally, she handles the LinkedIn profiles of Pacific Prime’s Founder and CEO, as well as Global HR Lead.
Suphanida’s strengths lie in her strong research and analytical skills, which she has gained from her BA in Politics from the University of Warwick and Erasmus Mundus Joint MA in Journalism from Aarhus University and City, University of London.
Being of Thai-Indian origin and having lived, studied, and worked in Thailand, the UK, and Denmark, Suphanida also has a unique, multicultural perspective that helps her understand the struggles of expats and globetrotters.
Outside of work, she enjoys traveling to new places and immersing herself in different cultures.
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