While working from home eliminates tiring daily commutes to work and annoying traffic, it comes with its fair share of stressors that can affect your mood, focus, and productivity. Managing workloads, difficulty in setting boundaries, spending hours behind a computer screen, and sitting in the same position throughout the day can leave your body drained. One survey showed that 86% of remote workers experience work burnout. You may not be able to eliminate stress entirely, but you sure can prioritize self-care techniques. If working from home leaving you stressed daily, use these tips to unwind.
1. Establish a cut-off time and stick to it
One of the biggest problems of working from home is it’s easy to stay locked into your work without taking a break. Of course, you want to finish every task as quickly as possible so you can call it curtains on the day early. But pushing through work without an off time will only break you down. Plus, the longer you work, the more tired you get, which means your work quality and productivity will also drop. So, establish a cut-off time and stick to it. Ideally, pick a time when you’re the most tired and your work quality isn’t the best as the moment to take a breather. You can take a 5-10 minute break every hour, where you step away from your desk to stretch your limbs.
2. Soak your body in a soothing bath
What you do right after work can impact your stress levels for the following day. Many people jump straight to social media or watch movies late into the night, leaving them with little rest. Since your body is probably tired after the day’s work, soak yourself in a soothing bath for a few minutes. Add products like lavender oil, Epsom salt, bath bombs, coconut oil, or oatmeal to the bath water and sit in it for a few minutes. The soothing effects of these products are well-documented. You can also opt for CBD oil if you prefer. Add a few drops to a bath of warm water and bask in the relaxing experience it creates. Many online platforms like Naturecan have such products in various types to choose from.
3. Reward yourself
Rewarding yourself is one of the most effective ways to reinforce something. What to appreciate yourself with depends on the things you like. But start by dividing your tasks for the day into smaller chunks or goals. Once you complete a goal, reward yourself. It could be a glass of your favorite drink, a few minutes of social media time, a few minutes catching up with your favorite show, or a hearty snack. But plan your tasks and rewards properly so you don’t end up wasting too much time.
4. Listen to music or a podcast
Create a playlist of your favorite songs and listen to them whenever you start feeling stressed or during your break. Grooving to good music is one of the best ways to relax and unwind, lifting your mood and boosting your mind. You can also listen to podcasts if you want a mind-boosting activity with more substance. Find topics you’re interested in and discussions you can follow even while working.