Making home work easier...
PRUDENCE WADE looks at five ways to give yourself a boost when working from home
IN news that feels slightly like Groundhog Day, the work-fromhome guidance is back in place to tackle the spread of the Omicron variant.
While Wales had never stopped asking people to work from home where possible, England moved to Plan B restrictions from Monday.
If you’re the kind of person who has relished the slow return to the office the news might come as a blow. But returning to homeworking doesn’t have to be all bad. There’s alot you can do throughout the day to boost your wellbeing.
Compliment yourself – and others
This might sound a bit silly but it’s a real oxytocin booster. Health and habits life coach Rochelle Knowles, founder of Mindful Eyes coaching (mindful-eyes.com), recommends listing “all the things you love about your body” out loud every morning before work, as “this should give you a warm, cosy feeling”.
She continues: “Even if it’s over Zoom, appreciate others. Take it a step further and acknowledge those around you, and let them know how thankful you are. Not only will it make them smile, but it will also give you an energy boost too.”
Take some time out to meditate
It can be tough to carve time out of your busy working day, but even just a few minutes of slowing down could recharge your batteries. Rochelle recommends meditation, saying: “This can quite simply be sitting in silence, lightly placing your attention on inhaling and exhaling – and you can do this for as long or as short as you want. “The purpose is to give yourself a moment of quiet, with no distractions, and give yourself the calm you deserve.”
Get moving
As much as you might not to brave the great outdoors – or bother lacing up your trainers to do a workout in your kitchen – doing a bit of exercise is the best way to boost your mood and get some endorphins flowing.
Dr Sam Mather, author of RISE: The Science And Practice Of Creating And Developing Your Cognitive Resources For Resilience And Wellbeing (rise-ability.com), says: “Exercise is important, as this has been shown to repair and improve the function of the brain’s neurons. At least take a walk every day.”
Feed your brain
You’d be amazed how big of an impact paying attention to your diet can have on your day.
“Feed your brain,” says Dr Mather. “It needs a balanced diet. That includes carbohydrates – the good ones – plenty of water and eight hours sleep.”
Taking the time to make a healthy, balanced meal for lunch will give you a chance to refocus your brain – and your body will thank you.
Mark the transition between work and home
“Working from home means we have lost the event horizon that we would usually cross moving from home to work – everything is happening in one location,” explains Dr Mather.
To prevent burnout – and resist the urge of workwant ing too much – you need to clearly mark the end of the working day. “Develop a habit that becomes a signal to the brain that you are transitioning from work to home: it could be that walk, a trip to the gym, spending an hour in the greenhouse, meditation,” she says. “Choose an activity that will allow your brain to begin to relax..
“If you can, have your office in a room where you can close a door at the end of the day, again signalling the day is over.
“If you can’t do that, make sure you never work in your bedroom. Find somewhere that is not associated with sleep or relaxation.”