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I’m almost at the seven month mark of work from home life. Like pretty much everyone else existing in this weird time, working from home and quarantining has gone in phases for me. While I love working from home, it can be a little much to go days without leaving my apartment. There are days where I’m super thankful for a wide open schedule and the ability to read for hours on end. And then there are the days when I feel suffocated, the days where I just want to eat something that I didn’t prepare and soak in an atmosphere that is not my apartment.
Mental health is hard, and as woo woo as it sounds, I try to keep tabs on myself. I pay attention to my moods and my energy levels. If I’m down or dragging, I know I need to change it up. (Full disclosure, this post has been sitting in drafts for a month because I have been in a funk.)
I know this experience has been different for everyone. I know that I’m incredibly fortunate to have a job that allows me to work from home. This post features tips that have worked well for me. I also think its important to add that this isn’t a struggle you have to go through alone. If you are constantly feeling in a funk see a doctor. Talk to a therapist. Take advantage of resources offered in your company’s EAP or free mental health services.
1. Find an indulgence that you’ll look forward to each day.
For me it was iced coffee. Grabbing a cold brew from the cafeteria each morning was a part of my routine I really savored; it meant that I had jumped through all of the hoops necessary to get into my building. It was also a special treat – I was pinching pennies and ate the majority of my meals at home, but I had some fast food reward points hoarded up and could cash them in for it.
When I received the marching orders to work from home, I bought a couple of 40 oz Starbucks Iced Espresso beverages – Vanilla & Caramel Macchiato. (One 40 ounce container is the price of a grande, so you’re also saving money here!) I could have one glass each morning, and that was it. I looked forward to that every single morning for at least three months.
If there’s a piece of your day that you enjoy, cling to it. Or maybe it’s time to create a new tradition – a Reese Cup when that 3 PM slump hits, an episode of your favorite Netflix show during your lunch break, closing your laptop right when the work day ends to go for a walk.
2. Alternate your workspace.
If you have a desk, just skip this one and know that I’m super jealous of you. My apartment is gorgeous, but tiny, and I have given up on owning a desk. However, this has given me the freedom to really switch up my workspace. If I start to feel stifled after working at the counter for a few days, I’ll get my desk tray out and work from the couch. Some days I sit in the floor with my desk tray propped on my hamper and work like that. Before it got so warm outside, I worked from my balcony. It might sound crazy, but it keeps me from feeling stagnant.
It is amazing how a vitamin deficiency can affect your energy. I struggle to maintain a healthy Vitamin D level, and when mine is low, it exacerbates any kind of potential funk. I started taking Care/of vitamins about three weeks ago (on top of the vitamin D supplement I take), and I’ve been really pleased so far.
Care/of offers a quiz where you can share your struggles, and it determined the best focus areas for me were digestion, sleep, skin, and energy. All of these have gotten a little off track due to the stress from the general state of the world. It’s to soon to give a rave review, but my digestion has improved and I actually started sleeping deep enough to dream again.
If you’re interested in trying Care/of out (or at least taking the quiz to learn more about the vitamins that may be helpful to you), click here. My link will give you 50% off your first order. (You’ll also get your own link to share with your friends!)
4. Get some fresh air.
When quarantining started, my doctor really pushed me to get outside and get some fresh air. He felt it would be great for my physical and mental health. To be honest, I was entirely too anxious when I thought about the number of things I had to touch in my apartment complex to actually leave the building, so I settled by working from my balcony until it got too warm to do so.
Ironically, when the mask mandate kicked off in Nashville, I started going out for fresh air more frequently. It’s amazing how much better I feel and how much it helps my seemingly chronic nausea! I love strolling through walkable neighborhoods and taking Willie to the dog park
I want to hear from you – if you’re working from home, how are you staying out of a funk? What’s helping you get through the day? Have you fully embraced work from home life?
