Working remotely can be challenging in the best of times. However, when a global pandemic is added to the equation, it is important to take extra steps to ensure your mental and physical well-being is a priority. Here are a few strategies to you can use to remain healthy and confident while working from home.
Covid-19 forced most public and private gyms, yoga studios and other places people use to exercise to close. But don’ let this keep you from maintaining an exercise routine. If you didn’t already exercise regularly, it is more important than ever to start. The University of Michigan states “aerobic activity (exercise that significantly raises our heart rates) may be associated with greater reductions in depressive symptoms.”
There are many ways you can increase aerobic activity without leaving home. YouTube has thousands of free exercise videos (beginner, intermediate, and advanced) you can work out with. Don’t have access to YouTube? No problem. You can put on some music and dance, do jumping jacks, calisthenics, or any other activity that gets you heart rate up.
With everyone social distancing, it can be easy to let those small interactions you would normally have while on break or on a lunch run during your workday fade away. However, certain studies have suggested that those regular interaction are an important part of our mental and physical health.
You can combat this by reaching out to people you know on social media, scheduling regular phone chats with friends and relatives, or even joining online groups with similar interests where you can develop new relationships.
It can be very tempting when working from home to turn on the insights each time you take lunch or a break. While it is important to stay informed of the ever-changing information on the Covid-19 pandemic, it is equally important that you avoid it becoming a constant source of stress in your daily life.
The Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) suggests limiting the number of times you check for insights updates to once a day.