Work from home has become the new normal during the COVID19 lockdown. This has eliminated the line where “work” ends and “home” begins. During this phase of working from home and connected with all the channels of communication, it becomes a real challenge to leave work at work. On the other hand Working in an office does not face this struggle as it gives you a physical separation between your personal and professional life. Coronavirus has collapsed this space as you no longer travel to work and your home is where you are working from with no distinctly divided time periods.
There is no specific time of the day that is now dedicated to pure relaxation and unplugging yourself. By now, we have realized that working from home is a true anxiety cocktail and could be more hectic than the office hours if not taken care of. It is important to understand the limits and set boundaries as eliminating the space between office and home not only eliminates a physical barrier but also removes the distinction between your personal and professional identities.
Here are a few things you can do to relax and unplug after working from home and help you set up a structure to plan your workdays.
Downtown should be made part of your daily routine and should be prioritized accordingly. This may be as simple as setting aside a few minutes after work to do nothing. One may set a specific goal of achieving any relaxation activity during work and make it a part of your daily calendar. You can amplify its impact by creating a “shutdown ritual” which may involve planning for the next day.
This is one of the most difficult tasks to do as you still keep thinking about work even when you are out of office. It is not a good idea to bring work home with you. You deserve to spare some time for yourself after exhausting your energy at work.
For a few minutes, let the warm water wash away the strains of your work from home day. Loosen up your body and feel relaxed with a nice hot shower followed by a cool splash of cold water to energize the cells in your body.
Exercise has been scientifically proven to cut the stress in your body as it releases endorphins that will help you feel happier and more energetic in the long run. Make sure you eat the right nutrient for your work out and stay hydrated.
By reading a book, you allow yourself to be invited into a literary world that distracts you from your daily stressors. Sometimes the best way to skip the chaos of daily life is to slip into another one. Reading also relaxes your body by lowering your heart rate and loosens up the tension in your muscles.
Formal meditation is a great way to help you control stress, decrease anxiety, improve cardiovascular health and meet relaxation. One should acknowledge stress as it can help lift the weight off your shoulders and channel their energy from stress to positivity and calm.
